Variant-divergent death: Omicron intensifies bystander T-cell apoptosis via GDF15–BCL2L13

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Authors

Chao Gao · Zhongda Hospital Southeast University

Hanbing Chen · Zhongda Hospital Southeast University

Ying Chi · Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Xinxing Lu · Nantong University

Jiahuang Li · China Pharmaceutical University

Ying Tang · Zhongda Hospital Southeast University

Ruixuan Yu

Abstract

Our data delineate a two-track model of Omicron immune injury-CD63-enabled T-cell entry plus GDF15-BCL2L13-driven bystander apoptosis-that reconciles lower epithelial cytopathicity with deeper T-cell depletion in critical disease. These findings nominate the GDF15-BCL2L13 axis as a mechanistic marker and potential point of intervention.

Topics & Keywords

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: Cell Death Discovery

DOI: 10.1038/s41420-026-03079-x

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