Comprehensive Analysis of the ILCs and Unconventional T Cells in Virus Infection: Profiling and Dynamics Associated with COVID-19 Disease for a Future Monitoring System and Therapeutic Opportunities

This review is a comprehensive analysis of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on Unconventional T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). COVID-19 affected patients show dysregulation of their adaptive immune systems, but many questions remain unsolved on the behavior of Unconventional cells and ILCs during infection, considering their role in maintaining homeostasis in tissue. Therefore, we highlight the differences that exist among the studies in cohorts of patients who in general were categorized considering symptoms and hospitalization. Moreover, we make a critical analysis of the presence of particular clusters of cells that express activation and exhausted markers for each group in order to bring out potential diagnostic factors unconsidered before now. We also focus our attention on studies that take into consideration recovered patients. Indeed, it could be useful to determine Unconventional T cells' and ILCs' frequencies and functions in longitudinal studies because it could represent a way to monitor the immune status of SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects. Possible changes in cell frequencies or activation profiles could be potentially useful as prognostic biomarkers and for future therapy. Currently, there are no efficacious therapies for SARS-CoV-2 infection, but deep studies on involvement of Unconventional T cells and ILCs in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 could be promising for targeted therapies.

Automated summary

This review comprehensively analyzes the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on Unconventional T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). The dysregulation of adaptive immune systems in COVID-19 affected patients has been observed, but there are still many unanswered questions regarding the behavior of Unconventional cells and ILCs during infection. This analysis highlights the differences in studies on patient cohorts and explores potential diagnostic factors and targeted therapies that have been overlooked before. Monitoring the frequencies and functions of Unconventional T cells and ILCs in longitudinal studies may provide useful prognostic biomarkers and future therapeutic strategies for SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals.