Bcl6 reactivity is associated with a distinct immune landscape and spatial transcriptome in COVID-19.

📘 Journal: JCI insight

📅 Published: September 09, 2025

👥 Authors: ['Brenna C', 'Bramon Mora B', 'Ioannidou K', 'Bodelet J', 'Siebmanns ML', 'Burgermeister S', 'Georgakis S', 'Orfanakis M', 'Muller YD', 'Sédille N', 'Feinstein MJ', 'Lomasney JW', 'Chén OY', 'Pantaleo G', 'Berezowska S', 'de Leval L', 'Gottardo R', 'Petrovas C.']

🔬 Category: Immunology

Uncover the distinct immune landscape and spatial transcriptome associated with Bcl6 reactivity in COVID-19 lung-draining lymph nodes, revealing potential targets for regulating follicular and germinal center dynamics during acute viral infections.

This study analyzed lung-draining lymph nodes from COVID-19 autopsies using multiplex imaging and spatial transcriptomics to examine the immune landscape and follicular immune reactivity. Three groups were identified based on Bcl6 prevalence in reactive follicles: RF-Bcl6no/low, RF-Bcl6int, and RF-Bcl6high. The RF-Bcl6high group exhibited a distinct B/TFH immune landscape with increased proliferating B-cell and TFH-cell subsets. Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed that the RF-Bcl6no/low tissues were associated with upregulated TH1-related genes/pathways, while the RF-Bcl6high tissues showed increased expression of germinal center-promoting genes/pathways. These findings provide insights into the heterogeneous follicular and germinal center immune dynamics during acute viral infections, highlighting potential targets for therapeutic interventions.