Sustained Antibody-Dependent NK Cell Functions in Mild COVID-19 Outpatients During Convalescence.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic has left researchers scrambling to identify the humoral immune correlates of protection from COVID-19. To date, the antibody mediated correlates of virus neutralization have been extensively studied. However, the extent that non-neutralizing functions contribute to anti-viral responses are ill defined. In this study, we profiled the anti-spike antibody subtype/subclass responses, along with neutralization and antibody-dependent natural killer cell functions in 83 blood samples collected between 4 and 201 days post-symptoms onset from a cohort of COVID-19 outpatients. We observed heterogeneous humoral responses against the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Overall, anti-spike profiles were characterized by a rapid rise of IgA and sustained IgG titers. In addition, strong antibody-mediated natural killer effector responses correlated with milder disease and being female. While higher neutralization profiles were observed in males along with increased severity. These results give an insight into the underlying function of antibodies beyond neutralization and suggest that antibody-mediated natural killer cell activity is a key function of the humoral response against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Effects of chronic simulated hypobaric hypoxia on mouse spermatogenesis / Efectos de la Hipoxia Hipobárica Simulada Crónica sobre la Espermatogénesis en el Ratón

La disminución del aporte de O2 a los tejidos provoca daños de éstos, incluido el epitelio seminífero. Últimamente, se ha incrementado la población que trabaja a gran altura, interesando así el estudio de la hipoxia hipobárica sobre la espermatogénesis. Para este estudio se utilizaron dos grupos de ratones machos sexualmente maduros: Control (540 metros sobre el nivel del mar (msnm)) y grupo con hipoxia hipobárica simulada crónica (HHSC) (4.600 msnm) expuestos por 8, 16, 24 ó 33 días. Fueron evaluados hematocrito, reticulocitosis, peso de testículos, epidídimos y vesícula seminal; altura del epitelio seminífero, diámetro tubular, recuento y morfología espermática y lipoperoxidación de membranas de espermatozoides y parénquima testicular. El peso de testículos, epidídimos y vesícula seminal se redujo para empezar a recuperarse a los 33 días. El diámetro tubular y la altura del epitelio se redujeron y luego tendieron a aumentar sin normalizarse. El recuento y la morfología espermáticos fluctaron en el tiempo. Se puede concluir que la exposición a HHSC induce daño del epitelio seminífero, disminución de la lipoperoxidación en espermatozoides y tejido testicular, y altera la morfología testicular y espermática.

Reduction of O2 delivery to tissues damage them, including the seminiferous epithelium. Recently, population working in high altitude has increased, so that the study of hypobaric hypoxia on spermatogenesis becomes of interest. In this study we used two groups of male, sexually mature mice Control (C) (540 meters above sea level (masl)) and chronic simulated hypobaric hypoxia (CSHH) (4,600 masl) exposed during 8, 16, 24 or 33 days. Hematocrit; reticulocytosis; testicular, epididymal and seminal vesicle weight; seminiferous epithelium height, tubular diameter, sperm count and morphology and testicular parenchyme and spermatozoa membranes lipoperoxidation were measured. Weight of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle were reduced but they recuperate at 33 days. Tubular diameter and epithelial height are reduced, subsequently they tend to increase without returning to normal values. The count and sperm morphology fluctuate along the exposure time. Lipoperoxidation levels of spermatozoa and testicular parenchyme are reduced. Therefore, we can conclude that exposure to CSHH induce damage in the seminiferous epithelium, decrease of lipoperoxidation in spermatozoa and testicular tissue, and damages the testicular and sperm morphology.