| HRA000203
(Controlled Access)
|
Age-associated changes in immune cells have been linked with increased risk for infection and cancer. However, a global and detailed characterization of the changes human immune cells undergo with age is lacking. Here, we combined scRNA-seq, mass cytometry and scATAC-seq to compare immune cell types in peripheral blood collected from young and old research subjects and patients with COVID-19. We found an aging reprogramed immune cell landscape. Notably, aging increased senescent hallmark genes and coronavirus susceptibility gene expression in cell-subtype specificity. Most impressively, COVID-19 increased aging-induced immune cells polarization, inflammation genes and senescent hallmark genes upregulation. An aging-associated dysregulated immune system and upregulated SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility gene expression may account for susceptibility and increased vulnerability of COVID-19 in the elderly. |
