Distinct gene expression features of lesional skin between
COVID-MDR and MDR
Our IMC data showed a distinct CD8+ T lymphocyte and
Mo/Mac infiltrate in COVID-MDR. To address, whether this cellular
signature was paralleled by a distinct gene expression pattern, we
performed RNA-seq on RNA isolated from lesional skin.
Skin transcriptome GO analyses revealed eosinophil chemotaxis and
cytolysis pathways to be activated in COVID-MDR (Figure 4A-C, Table S3).
In line with our IMC results, the gene expression of GZMA, GNLY, PRF1,
and CD8A was significantly upregulated in COVID-MDR compare to MDR. In
addition, CCL5, CCL7, CCL13, CCL26, and IL-5 RNA levels were also
upregulated in COVID-MDR. These results suggest that cytolytic processes
and eosinophilic inflammation are more activated in COVID-MDR.