A consideration of publication-derived immune-related associations in Coronavirus and related lung damaging diseases

Nophar Geifman; Anthony D Whetton

In our third analysis, networks illustrating the connections between cytokines, immune cell types and different diseases, captured from the three abstract corpuses, were generated. Sub-networks, each stemming from a selected disease, illustrate some differences between Coronavirus-, SARS-, and H5N1-related comorbidities and complications. For example, in Coronavirus-related abstracts, diarrhea, one of the reported symptoms of COVID-19, is associated with IL-18, monocytes, T-lymphocytes, dendritic cells and erythrocytes. On the other hand, asthma, a risk factor for adverse outcomes in COVID-19, is linked to IL-8, IL-5, IL-2, IFNg, eosinophils, and neutrophils. This analysis has highlighted some potential targets for therapy. For example, IL-5 is a key growth factor for and activator of eosinophils (both picked up by our research). Eosinophils can be recruited to the lungs, where they have a poorly understood role in health and disease [19] . It has also been reported eosinophil count is a potential marker for COVID-19 patient improvement [20, 21] . The role of eosinophils and IL-5 in this disease certainly requires further investigation. Treatments for asthma that modulate eospinophil action are available; Reslizumab and Mepolizumab are anti-IL-5 antibody therapies that may have potential in treatment of viral respiratory disease, if eosinophils are activated [22, 23] . It is speculative to comment on the role of eosinophils in COVID-19 disease; however in overall consideration of a fast developing literature in a pandemic many possible clinical trial options could be considered. As the literature evolves we suggest the methodologies described here can play a progressive part in rational development of strategies for optimal treatment in an informed environment.