The Janus face of proliferating plasmablasts in dengue and COVID-19 infections

Introduction B cells play an integral role in the immune response to both dengue fever and COVID-19. Prior scRNAseq analyses of peripheral plasmablasts COVID-19 have revealed a heterogeneous population with distinct cell subsets associated proliferation; prior studies patients likewise shown presence proliferative pre-plasmablasts circulation. These findings may implications for disease severity. In this study, we sought gain mechanistic understanding intracellular processes naive memory that are lead expanded plasmablast Methods We analyzed age-controlled (pediatric adult), blood mononuclear datasets from infected either (primary or secondary) (non-severe severe) previously published studies. Our preliminary analysis showed pediatric adults had (p-PB) population. By contrast, neither nor children our dataset p-PBs. used distinctive signature guide design cells. Results age/disease conditions without p-PBs, found differences sensing activation, including via receptor downstream signal transduction. Likewise, inflammation was mediated differently: relative groups those p-PBs increased expression interferon S100 genes (particularly severe COVID-19). Furthermore, several transcription factors at nexus inflammation, fate decisions were expressed differently Discussion infections adult (focusing on B, cells) as model better understand mechanisms give rise p-PB populations results indicate more pro-inflammatory state correlated - could influence generation of- proliferating plasmablasts. Further exploration these will memory, vaccine development, post-viral autoimmune syndromes.