Why are children significantly more resistant to severe cases of COVID-19 than adults? A research team led by Prof Dr Birgit Sawitzki (Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin) with the support of the National Autopsy Network has investigated this question and has now published its findings in Cell Reports Medicine.
In a multi-omics analysis of 164 SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals (1-84 years), age-dependent differences in immune responses were identified: With increasing age, type I interferon signalling shifts from antiviral STAT1 activation to a more pro-inflammatory STAT3 activation. At the same time, the antibody profile changes - IgA dominates in children and complement-fixing IgG in adults.
These results provide a mechanistic explanation for the higher risk of severe courses in adulthood and open up perspectives for more targeted therapies. We are pleased to have contributed to this important study.