Circulating levels of podoplanin and CLEC-2 in COVID-19: An exploratory study

ABSTRACT

Background: Podoplanin (PDPN) and CLEC-2 have been involved in the pathogenesis of thrombosis in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. In addition, prior studies suggested that PDPN can be protective animal models of sepsis, as well as in models of acute lung injury. Aim(s) To measure circulating levels of PDPN and CLEC-2 in COVID-19 and explore their relationship with clinical and laboratory markers of disease severity. Method(s) Thirty consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted due to hypoxemia and 30 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled. PDPN and CLEC-2 levels were measured by commercial ELISA kits on admission, and at day+4 (PDPN). Biomarkers of hemostasis were measured using commercial kits and clinical data were obtained from medical records. Result(s) CLEC-2 levels were similar between patients and controls, while lower PDPN levels were observed in patients when compared to healthy volunteers and these results were confirmed using two different ELISA kits. In addition, patients requiring intensive care presented lower PDPN levels compared to ward patients. PDPN levels were inversely correlated with biomarkers of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation. Conclusion(s) Circulating levels of PDPN were reduced in patients with COVID-19, and negatively correlated with markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation, as well as with and ICU need. Co-expression of ACE2 and PDPN in alveolar epithelial cells could underlie these findings. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these observations in independent populations and to explore their potential mechanistic implications. (Figure Presented).