Integrated transcriptomic and immune analysis reveals distinct mitochondrial and immune signature in COVID-19 ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

INTRODUCTION

Severe COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) often progresses to respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Although several biomarkers (e.g., CRP, suPAR, Ang-2) have been explored to predict COVID-19 disease severity, validated early-presentation biomarkers that specifically prognosticate the need for IMV and mechanistic pathways in ARDS remain limited.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What transcriptomic and immune signatures distinguish IMV from non-IMV in patients with COVID-19 ARDS, and how do these molecular changes contribute to disease severity?

METHODS

Patients (n = 36) with SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring oxygen support were enrolled in this prospective study. Blood samples were collected at baseline, day 4, and day 8 from patients on IMV (n = 11) and non-IMV (n = 25). Transcriptomic profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed using RNA-sequencing, followed by gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment. Plasma cytokines and chemokines were measured using multiplex immunoassays, peripheral immune cell endotypes were characterized by mass cytometry, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was evaluated by kinetic live-cell imaging.

RESULTS

Clinically, IMV patients had significantly longer hospital (43.0 vs. 19.5 days, p = 0.001) and ICU stays (39.6 vs. 9.1 days, p < 0.01) and higher 28-day mortality (45.5% vs. 12.0%; aOR = 8.78, p = 0.04). Transcriptomic profiling identified 36 DEGs at day 4 and 21 at day 8 in patients on IMV, characterized by downregulation of mitochondrial gene MTARC2 and anticoagulant regulator TFPI, and upregulation of stress-response genes (RNF165, KCNMA1, and AC245014.3) (p < 0.05). Plasma IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were elevated in IMV group, with IL-10 showing the strongest predictive value (AUC 0.74, p = 0.0002). Immune profiling revealed higher percentage of CD57- NK cells at baseline in non-IMV group. NET formation did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients requiring IMV demonstrated distinct transcriptomic and immune profiles associated with severe COVID-19. These findings identify candidate biomarkers and pathways associated with disease severity; however, the results are exploratory and require validation in larger cohorts and functional studies.