Given that many cases of severe COVID-19 involve inflammation and an overreaction by the immune system, there is concern about using a therapy that boosts the immune system, Rhein said.
And research in China showed a suppression of NK cells in severe COVID-19 patients, suggesting they are not part of the immune system overreaction and could instead be a solution.
Researchers are seeking patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and have biomarkers that suggest they are at risk for such an immune system overreaction — but haven’t suffered it yet.