Distinct gene expression features of lesional skin between COVID-MDR and MDR
Our IMC data showed a distinct CD8+ T lymphocyte and Mo/Mac infiltrate in COVID-MDR. To address, whether this cellular signature was paralleled by a distinct gene expression pattern, we performed RNA-seq on RNA isolated from lesional skin.
Skin transcriptome GO analyses revealed eosinophil chemotaxis and cytolysis pathways to be activated in COVID-MDR (Figure 4A-C, Table S3). In line with our IMC results, the gene expression of GZMA, GNLY, PRF1, and CD8A was significantly upregulated in COVID-MDR compare to MDR. In addition, CCL5, CCL7, CCL13, CCL26, and IL-5 RNA levels were also upregulated in COVID-MDR. These results suggest that cytolytic processes and eosinophilic inflammation are more activated in COVID-MDR.