Inhibit white blood cells
Researchers found that hydroxychloroquine inhibits the action of a certain type of white blood cells. These cells are important in the fight against infections. Their findings, previously shared via MedRxiv, are now published in Cell Reports Medicine.
Slowing down the immune system
Hydroxychloroquine is a drug that has been used for many years, originally for the treatment of malaria. It is now also widely used to treat patients with rheumatic diseases, because hydroxychloroquine slows down the immune system. It is not known exactly how hydroxychloroquine does this. The use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 is a controversial topic. Currently there are still large studies on their effectiveness, mainly to see if it can prevent Corona infections.
Rapid defenses
With a virus infection, such as SARS-CoV-2, a good response of the immune system is essential to fight the virus. If the immune response at the beginning of the infection is insufficient, the virus can spread further in the body and cause damage. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, sometimes resulting in serious illness or death, is exactly what you want to prevent.
First line of defense
Raphaël Duivenvoorden, internist-nephrologist at Radboudumc: ‘We looked at the immune response of patients admitted with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. We saw that a certain type of immune cells, the monocytes, play an important role in the first line of defense against the coronavirus. That is why we started investigating the effect of hydroxychloroquine on these cells’.
Less protection
Monocytes can develop a type of nonspecific memory, something called ‘trained immunity’. Thanks to this mechanism, monocytes are able to develop a stronger response to bacteria and viruses. In this way, monocytes can contribute to a better, earlier fight against invading micro-organisms. Duivenvoorden, who coordinated the research: ‘We discovered that hydroxychloroquine prevents the development of this protective mechanism of’ trained immunity ‘. That is why we do not expect hydroxychloroquine to have a beneficial effect on the immune response in a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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