Clinical Manifestations and Cytokine Profiles of the Th1, Th2, and Th17 Response Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant became the dominant driver during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its high transmissibility and immune escape potential. Although clinical outcomes are generally mild to moderate, the inflammatory mechanisms triggered by Omicron subvariants remain poorly defined. The goal of this study was to consider both viral evolution and the host immune response by assessing plasma cytokine levels in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants. Methods: A total of 115 individuals were recruited, including 40 with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-qPCR. Demographic, clinical, and comorbidity data were collected. Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17A were quantified using Cytometric Bead Array. Subvariant data were obtained from GISAID records and grouped into early (BA.1-lineage) and late (BA.4/BA.5-lineage) Omicron clusters. Statistical analysis included non-parametric and parametric tests, correlation matrices, and multivariate comparisons. Results: Pharyngitis, nasal discharge, cough, and headache were the most common symptoms among infected individuals. Despite no significant variation in symptom distribution across subvariants, infected patients showed higher levels of IFN-γ, TNF, IL-10, IL-4, and IL-2 compared to non-SARS-CoV-2 infected controls (p < 0.05). IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher in early Omicron infections. No associations were observed between cytokine levels and comorbidities. A significant correlation was found between reporting fewer symptoms and having received three vaccine doses. Conclusions: Infection with Omicron subvariants elicits a strong yet balanced cytokine response. Despite genetic divergence between lineages, immune and clinical patterns remain conserved, with vaccination appearing to mitigate the symptom burden.
Source: Biomedicines
Authors: Matheus Amorim Barreto, Amanda Mendes Silva Cruz, Delana Melo Volle, Wanderley Dias das Chagas Júnior, Luana Soares Bargelata, Iran Barros Costa, Juliana Abreu Lima Nunes, Aline Collares Pinheiro de Sousa, Izabel Keller Moreira Lima, Patrícia Yuri Nogami, Iami Raiol Borges, Luany Rafaele da Conceição Cruz, Paula Fabiane da Rocha Nobre, Edvaldo Tavares da Penha Junior, Jones Anderson Monteiro Siqueira, Victória Figueiredo Brito do Carmo, Darleise de Souza Oliveira, Hugo Reis Resque, Marcos Rogério Meneses da Costa, Rita Catarina Medeiros Sousa, Mirleide Cordeiro dos Santos, Maria Izabel de Jesus, Luciana Damascena da Silva, Igor Brasil Costa
Institutions: Ministério da Saúde, Instituto Evandro Chagas
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Award: G4517342216
OpenAlex ID: W4413879512