Plasma Levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 in Patients with Osteoarthritis After Recovery from COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPS) play a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Recent research showed the involvement of some MMPs in COVID-19, but the results are limited and contradictory. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the levels of MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10) and TIMP-1 in the plasma of patients with OA after recovery from COVID- 19. METHODS: The experiment involved patients aged 39 to 80 diagnosed with knee OA. All study participants were divided into three research groups: the control group included healthy individuals, the group OA included patients with enrolled cases of OA, and the third group of OA and COVID-19 included patients with OA who recovered from COVID-19 6-9 months ago. The levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 were measured in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The study showed a change in the levels of MMPs in patients with OA who had COVID- 19 and those who did not have a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Particularly, patients with OA who were infected with coronavirus established an increase in MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9, compared to healthy controls. Compared to normal subjects, a significant decrease in MMP-10 and TIMP-1 was established in both groups of patients with OA and convalescent COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Thus, the results suggest that COVID-19 can affect the proteolysis-antiproteolysis system even after a long postinfectious state and may cause complications of existing musculoskeletal pathologies.

Characteristics of Products of Fibrinogen Origin in the Presence of Anti- SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the Bloodstream.

BACKGROUND: The hemostasis system has been extensively investigated in patients in the acute phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In contrast, the post-COVID syndrome is a poorly known entity, and there is a lack of information on the mechanisms underlying the hemostasis abnormalities in the post-COVID period. AIM: To analyze the potential changes in the parameters of the hemostasis system in the post- COVID period in the plasma of donors with different titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. METHODS: The plasma from 160 donors who had recovered from COVID infection was used in the study. Based on the results of the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG serological assay, all donors were divided into several groups: 5 ± 3 (n = 20); 55 ± 5 (n = 20); 65 ± 5 (n = 20); 75 ± 5 (n = 20); 85 ± 5 (n = 20); 95 ± 5 (n = 20); 125 ± 5 (n = 20); 175 ± 5 (n = 20) Index (S/C). A total of 20 healthy individuals without anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG constituted the control group. Key laboratory parameters, such as fibrinogen concentrations, soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMCs), and Ddimer, were investigated. In addition, the qualitative composition of the fraction of SFMCs was analyzed. RESULTS: The slight increase in the concentration of fibrinogen, SFMCs, and D-dimers in some donor groups have been found, which could cause the development of hemostasis disorders. In the fraction of SFMCs, the increase in the number of protein fragments with a molecular weight of less than 250 kDa and an increase in the level of proteins with a molecular weight of more than 270 kDa was revealed. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicated the relationship between the changes in the parameters of the hemostasis system and the titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in donors in the post-COVID period. It can be assumed that donors with higher titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (>55 ± 5 Index (S/C)) are more prone to hemostasis abnormalities in the post-COVID period since a pronounced imbalance in the levels of SFMCs and D-dimer characterizes them. The appearance of protein fragments of different molecular weights in the fraction of SFMC points to uncontrolled activation of biochemical processes involving molecules of fibrinogenic origin. Additional studies are required to elucidate the role of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the post-COVID period.

Cytokine profile in patients with osteoarthritis after SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) іnfection induces a pro-inflammatory state of an organism with long-term systemic consequences as a result. Systemic inflammation, characterized by a high circulating level of inflammatory cytokines, is a significant factor influencing articular cartilage metabolism in osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to determine the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in plasma of patients with OA following SARS-CoV-2 infection and to compare them with those of healthy controls. METHODS: The experiment involved patients of the Orthopedic Specialty Clinic aged 46 to 69 diagnosed with knee OA. Among persons with joint pathology a group of convalescent patients from 6-9 months after COVID-19 was identified. The control group involved relatively healthy donors. The plasma levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12β, tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: It was established that in patients with OA, as well as after suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection, an increase in the plasma levels of IL-1β was observed against the background of a decrease in the levels of IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL- 12β, TNF-α and IFN-γ, compared to the healthy controls. COVID-19 more significantly influenced the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-12β. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the plasma in patients with OA for a long post- COVID. Сhanges in the levels of inflammatory mediators suggest distinct immunoregulatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of both joint pathology and systemic disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2. [ FROM AUTHOR]