Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals characteristics of myeloid cells in pulmonary post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2

To understand the immune response and cellular characteristics of individuals with persistent pulmonary symptoms after COVID-19 infection, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both control and pulmonary post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PPASC) participants. Increased myeloid-lineage cells and up-regulated genes associated with pulmonary symptoms and fibrosis were observed in PPASC. Fibrosis-related pathways were up-regulated, while immune pathways were down-regulated. Metabolic alterations in PPASC were also identified. These findings suggest a potential role of myeloid-lineage cells in driving PPASC. Overall design: Live CD45+ cells were sorted by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting and subjected to scRNA-seq utilizing the 10X Genomic Chromium system. scRNA-seq done on three samples two for PASC and and one for Control