Circulating multimeric immune complexes drive immunopathology in COVID-19

Ankerhold, Jakob; Giese, Sebastian; Kolb, Philipp; Maul-Pavicic, Andrea; Voll, Reinhard E.; Göppert, Nathalie; Ciminski, Kevin; Kreutz, Clemens; Lother, Achim; Salzer, Ulrich; Bildl, Wolfgang; Welsink, Tim; Morgenthaler, Nils G.; Grawitz, Andrea Busse; Huzly, Daniela; Schwemmle, Martin; Hengel, Hartmut; Falcone, Valeria

A dysregulated immune response with high levels of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies characterizes patients with severe or critical COVID-19. Although a robust IgG response is traditionally considered to be protective, excessive triggering of activating Fc-gamma-receptors (FcγRs) could be detrimental and cause immunopathology. Here, we document that patients who develop soluble circulating IgG immune complexes (sICs) during infection are subject to enhanced immunopathology driven by FcγR activation. Utilizing cell-based reporter systems we provide evidence that sICs are predominantly formed prior to a specific humoral response against SARS-CoV-2. sIC formation, together with increased afucosylation of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG eventually leads to an enhanced CD16 (FcγRIII) activation of immune cells reaching activation levels comparable active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease. Our data suggest a vicious cycle of escalating immunopathology driven by an early formation of sICs in predisposed patients. These findings reconcile the seemingly paradoxical findings of high antiviral IgG responses and systemic immune dysregulation in severe COVID-19. Clinical implications The identification of sICs as drivers of an escalating immunopathology in predisposed patients opens new avenues regarding intervention strategies to alleviate critical COVID-19 progression. Graphical abstract A vicious cycle of immunopathology in COVID-19 patients is driven by soluble multimeric immune complexes (sICs). SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers sIC formation in prone individuals. Activation of FcγRIII/CD16 expressing immune cells by sICs precedes a humoral response to SARS-CoV2 infection. sICs and infection add to IgG afucosylation, further enhancing FcγRIII/CD16 activation by opsonized targets. High inflammation induces further sIC mediated immune cell activation ultimately leading to an escalating immunopathology.