Oxygen therapy may improve hypoxia-induced B cell abnormalities in COVID-19
Researchers in the United States have demonstrated early and persistent B cell abnormalities in patients with moderate or severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that may be largely driven by hypoxia.
Given that the B cell response is a crucial part of the host immune defense against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative agent of COVID-19 – these deficits could have a significant impact on the disease course, says Kenneth Smith from the University of Cambridge and colleagues.
“Hypoxia might contribute to B cell pathology in COVID-19 and in other hypoxic states,” writes the team. “Through this mechanism, it may impact on COVID-19 outcome, and be remediable through early oxygen therapy.”