ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) enters the lung tissue through exocytosis, leading to the release of a large amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines called 'cytokine storm'. The aim was to provide more insight into relationship between plasma cytokines profile and fatal outcome of COVID-19. Method(s): Plasma cytokines (IL-17F,GM-CSF,IFNg,IL-10,CCL20/ MIP3a,IL-12P70,IL-13, IL-15,IL-17A,IL-22,IL-9,IL-1b,IL-33,IL-2,IL-21,IL-4,IL-23,IL-5,IL-6,IL-17E/IL-25,IL-27,IL-31,TNFa,TNFb,IL-28A) were detected in 30 patients with severe COVID-19 by a Luminex assay system with Milliplex Human Th17 Magnetic Premix 25 Plex Kit (HT17MG-14K-PX-25, Merk-Millipore, USA) according to the instructions. Patients were followed up for 30 days since admission to intensive care. 18 patients died and 12 patients survived during the period of observation. The control group comprised 10 individuals who had never been diagnosed with COVID-19. Result(s): IL-10 and CCL20/MIP3a plasma levels were elevated in non-survivors patients with COVID-19 compared to controls (p = 0.0027, p = 0.012, respectively). IL-15, IL-6, IL-27 plasma levels were higher in survivors with COVID-19 compared to controls (p = 0.049, p = 0.026, p = 0.00032, respectively). Interestingly, IL-15, IL-27 plasma levels were increased in non-survivors with COVID-19 compared to controls and survivors with severe COVID-19 (IL-15: p = 0.00098, p = 0.00014, respectively;IL-27: p = 0.011, p < 0.0001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis has been conducted for IL-15 and IL-27. Cut-off value was estimated as 25.50 pg/ml for IL-15 and 1.51 pg/ml for IL-27. Conclusion(s): Our study demonstrated a more pronounced immune response in non-surviving patients with severe COVID-19. IL-15, IL-27 could be considered as a sensitive biomarker of the fatal outcome from COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives: Latest studies have stressed the relevance of cholesterol metabolism with susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity. We have previously shown downregulation of low-density lipoprotein particle receptor pathway in severe COVID-19 patient surviving compared to non-surviving(1). We aimed to assess the over-time expression changes of its relevant genes in severe COVID-19 patients with different outcomes (survivors/ non-survivors). Method(s): Blood samples were taken from 39 severe COVID-19 patients without chronic diseases twice: on the day of admission to the intensive care (T1) and in one week (T2). Within 30-day follow-up 18 patients recovered and 21 patients died. 20 individuals never previously infected with COVID-19 were also enrolled. Expression levels of studied genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed by real-time PCR with TaqMan assay. Result(s): Increased expression of STAB1 at T2, PPARgamma at T1 and CD36 at T1 and T2 were revealed in COVID-19 patients regardless of the outcome compared to controls (p < 0.05). Interesting, that in respective groups of COVID-19 patients increased STAB1, decreased PPARgamma and in survivors decreased LRP6 expression were revealed at T2 compared to T1 (p < 0.01). Also, STAB1 expression was decreased in survivors compared to non-survivors at T2 (p=0.017). Conclusion(s): Our study revealed, that patients with severe COVID-19 are characterized by increased expression of cholesterol metabolism related genes, withmore pronounced decrease of expression of these genes over time for survivors. Increased STAB1 expression may be considered as a predictor of poor COVID-19 prognosis.