Bcl6 expression is associated with a distinct immune landscape and spatial transcriptome in COVID-19

The regulation of follicular (F) and germinal center (GC) immune reactivity in human lymph nodes (LNs), particularly during the acute stages of viral infection, remains poorly understood. We have analyzed lung-draining lymph nodes (LD-LNs) from COVID-19 autopsies using multiplex imaging and spatial transcriptomics to examine the immune landscape with respect to follicular immune reactivity. We identified 3 groups of donors based on the Bcl6 prevalence of their reactive follicles (RFs): RF-Bcl6no/lo, RF-Bcl6int, and RF-Bcl6hi. A distinct B/Tfh immune landscape, associated with increased prevalence of proliferating B cell and Tfh cell subsets, was found in RF-Bcl6hi LD-LNs. The comparison between LD-LNs and subdiaphragmatic (SD) LNs from the same donor revealed a divergent Bcl6 expression between the 2 anatomical sites. LD-LN Bcl6 expression was also associated with a distinct spatial transcriptomic profile. TH1-associated genes/pathways (e.g., CXCR3, STAT5, TNF signaling) were significantly upregulated in RF-Bcl6no/lo tissues, while the RF-Bcl6hi tissues exhibited significant upregulation of GC-promoting genes/pathways (e.g., CXCL13, B-cell receptor signaling). Our findings reveal a heterogeneous F/GC landscape in COVID-19 LD-LNs, highlighting specific molecular targets and pathways that could regulate human F/GC immune dynamics during acute viral infections.