IFN signaling and neutrophil degranulation transcriptional signatures are induced during SARS-CoV-2 infection

The transcriptome of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung was compared between juvenile and old rhesus macaques. Genes associated with neutrophil degranulation and innate immune pathways were significantly induced in the macaque lung. Type I IFN and Notch signaling pathways were remarkably  upregulated in the juvenile when it was compared with those in old animals. These results corraborated with the observation that increased peripheral neutrophil counts in older COVID-19 patient.