We aimed to determine the levels of follicular helper T (Tfh) and follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells in COVID-19 patients and determine whether their levels correlated with disease severity and presence of hyperglycemia. This study was carried out in 34 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls. Levels of total circulating Tfh, inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS)+ activated Tfh, and Tfr cells were assessed in all participants by flow cytometry. Total CD4+CXCR5+ Tfh cells and ICOS+Foxp3-activated Tfh cells increased and ICOS+Foxp3+ Tfr cells decreased in COVID-19 patients, especially in diabetic patients and those with severe disease. Activated ICOS+ Tfh cells were directly correlated with lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, ferritin, and respiratory rate and inversely correlated with the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. COVID-19 is associated with marked activation of Tfh cells and a profound drop in Tfr cells, especially in severe and diabetic patients. Future studies on expanded cohorts of patients are needed to clarify the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and acute-onset diabetes.
Keywords: COVID-19; follicular helper T; follicular regulatory T; hyperglycemia.