Coagulation factor V is a T-cell inhibitor expressed by leukocytes in COVID-19

Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease-National Institute of Health Research (CITIID-NIHR) Covid BioResource Collaboration

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Clotting Factor V (FV) is primarily synthesized in the liver and when cleaved by thrombin forms pro-coagulant Factor Va (FVa). Using whole blood RNAseq and scRNAseq of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we find that FV mRNA is expressed in leukocytes, and identify neutrophils, monocytes, and T regulatory cells as sources of increased FV in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Proteomic analysis confirms increased FV in circulating neutrophils in severe COVID-19, and immunofluorescence microscopy identifies FV in lung-infiltrating leukocytes in COVID-19 lung disease. Increased leukocyte FV expression in severe disease correlates with T-cell lymphopenia. Both plasma-derived and a cleavage resistant recombinant FV, but not thrombin cleaved FVa, suppress T-cell proliferation in vitro. Anticoagulants that reduce FV conversion to FVa, including heparin, may have the unintended consequence of suppressing the adaptive immune system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103971
JournaliScience
Volume25
Issue number3
Early online date8 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Omics
  • Transcriptomics

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