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Vera IM, Kessler A, Harawa V, Ahmadu A, Keller TE, Ray ST, Taylor TE, Rogerson SJ, Mandala WL, Reyes Gil M, Seydel KB, Kim K. Prothrombotic autoantibodies targeting platelet factor 4/polyanion are associated with pediatric cerebral malaria. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e176466. [PMID: 38652559 PMCID: PMC11142751 DOI: 10.1172/jci176466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDFeatures of consumptive coagulopathy and thromboinflammation are prominent in cerebral malaria (CM). We hypothesized that thrombogenic autoantibodies contribute to a procoagulant state in CM.METHODSPlasma from children with uncomplicated malaria (UM) (n = 124) and CM (n = 136) was analyzed by ELISA for a panel of 8 autoantibodies including anti-platelet factor 4/polyanion (anti-PF4/P), anti-phospholipid, anti-phosphatidylserine, anti-myeloperoxidase, anti-proteinase 3, anti-dsDNA, anti-β-2-glycoprotein I, and anti-cardiolipin. Plasma samples from individuals with nonmalarial coma (NMC) (n = 49) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 56) were assayed for comparison. Associations with clinical and immune biomarkers were determined using univariate and logistic regression analyses.RESULTSMedian anti-PF4/P and anti-PS IgG levels were elevated in individuals with malaria infection relative to levels in HCs (P < 0.001) and patients with NMC (PF4/P: P < 0.001). Anti-PF4/P IgG levels were elevated in children with CM (median = 0.27, IQR: 0.19-0.41) compared with those with UM (median = 0.19, IQR: 0.14-0.22, P < 0.0001). Anti-PS IgG levels did not differ between patients with UM and those with CM (P = 0.39). When patients with CM were stratified by malaria retinopathy (Ret) status, the levels of anti-PF4/P IgG correlated negatively with the peripheral platelet count in patients with Ret+ CM (Spearman's rho [Rs] = 0.201, P = 0.04) and associated positively with mortality (OR = 15.2, 95% CI: 1.02-275, P = 0.048). Plasma from patients with CM induced greater platelet activation in an ex vivo assay relative to plasma from patients with UM (P = 0.02), and the observed platelet activation was associated with anti-PF4/P IgG levels (Rs= 0.293, P = 0.035).CONCLUSIONSThrombosis mediated by elevated anti-PF4/P autoantibodies may be one mechanism contributing to the clinical complications of CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iset M. Vera
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Anne Kessler
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Visopo Harawa
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Biomedical Department, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Ajisa Ahmadu
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Thomas E. Keller
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Stephen T.J. Ray
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Terrie E. Taylor
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Stephen J. Rogerson
- Department of Medicine (RMH), and
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wilson L. Mandala
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Biomedical Department, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo, Malawi
| | - Morayma Reyes Gil
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Karl B. Seydel
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Kami Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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2
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Liu Z, Li L, Zhang H, Pang X, Qiu Z, Xiang Q, Cui Y. Platelet factor 4(PF4) and its multiple roles in diseases. Blood Rev 2024; 64:101155. [PMID: 38008700 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Platelet factor 4 (PF4) combines with heparin to form an antigen that could produce IgG antibodies and participate in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). PF4 has attracted wide attention due to its role in novel coronavirus vaccine-19 (COVID-9)-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and cognitive impairments. The electrostatic interaction between PF4 and negatively charged molecules is vital in the progression of VITT, which is similar to HIT. Emerging evidence suggests its multiple roles in hematopoietic and angiogenic inhibition, platelet coagulation interference, host inflammatory response promotion, vascular inhibition, and antitumor properties. The emerging pharmacological effects of PF4 may help deepen the exploration of its mechanism, thus accelerating the development of targeted therapies. However, due to its pleiotropic properties, the development of drugs targeting PF4 is at an early stage and faces many challenges. Herein, we discussed the characteristics and biological functions of PF4, summarized PF4-mediated signaling pathways, and discussed its multiple roles in diseases to inform novel approaches for successful clinical translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, China.
| | - Longtu Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Hanxu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaocong Pang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, China
| | - Zhiwei Qiu
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, China
| | - Qian Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, China.
| | - Yimin Cui
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, China.
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3
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Nguyen TH, Chen LY, Khan NZ, Lindenbauer A, Bui VC, Zipfel PF, Heinrich D. The Binding of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Platelet Factor 4: A Proposed Mechanism for the Generation of Pathogenic Antibodies. Biomolecules 2024; 14:245. [PMID: 38540666 PMCID: PMC10967930 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies contributed to the abnormal coagulation profiles in COVID-19 and vaccinated patients. However, the mechanism of what triggers the body to produce these antibodies has not yet been clarified. Similar patterns and many comparable features between the COVID-19 virus and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) have been reported. Previously, we identified a new mechanism of autoimmunity in HIT in which PF4-antibodies self-clustered PF4 and exposed binding epitopes for other pathogenic PF4/eparin antibodies. Here, we first proved that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) also binds to PF4. The binding was evidenced by the increase in mass and optical intensity as observed through quartz crystal microbalance and immunosorbent assay, while the switching of the surface zeta potential caused by protein interactions and binding affinity of PF4-SP were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and isothermal spectral shift analysis. Based on our results, we proposed a mechanism for the generation of PF4 antibodies in COVID-19 patients. We further validated the changes in zeta potential and interaction affinity between PF4 and SP and found that their binding mechanism differs from ACE2-SP binding. Importantly, the PF4/SP complexes facilitate the binding of anti-PF4/Heparin antibodies. Our findings offer a fresh perspective on PF4 engagement with the SARS-CoV-2 SP, illuminating the role of PF4/SP complexes in severe thrombotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Huong Nguyen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Li-Yu Chen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Institute of Miccrobiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nida Zaman Khan
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Annerose Lindenbauer
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Van-Chien Bui
- Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment, Eichsfeldwerke GmbH, 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Institute of Miccrobiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Doris Heinrich
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institut für Silicatforschung, Neunerplatz, 97082 Würzburg, Germany
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4
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Yang C, Wang I, Chitkara A, Swankutty J, Patel R, Kubba SV. Anti-PF4 antibodies and their relationship with COVID infection. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2024:S2531-1379(24)00005-1. [PMID: 38388299 DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Detecting anti-PF4 antibodies remains the golden diagnostic method for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Various lab tests detect anti-PF4 antibodies, including immunoassays and functional assays. Even with positive detection of the anti-PF4 antibody, several factors are involved in the result. The concept of anti-PF4 disorders was recently brought to light during the COVID pandemic since the development of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) with the adenovirus-vectored-DNA vaccine during the pandemic. Circumstances that detect anti-PF4 antibodies are classified as anti-PF4 disorders, including VITT, autoimmune HIT and spontaneous HIT. Some studies showed a higher percentage of anti-PF4 antibody detection among the population infected by COVID-19 without heparin exposure and some supported the theory that the anti-PF4 antibodies were related to the disease severity. In this review article, we provide a brief review of anti-PF4 disorders and summarize the current studies of anti-PF4 antibodies and COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh Yang
- School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, USA
| | - Irene Wang
- School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, USA
| | | | | | | | - Samir V Kubba
- School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, USA.
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5
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Raadsen MP, Visser C, Lavell AHA, van de Munckhof AAGA, Coutinho JM, de Maat MPM, GeurtsvanKessel CH, Bomers MK, Haagmans BL, van Gorp ECM, Porcelijn L, Kruip MJHA. Transient Autoreactive PF4 and Antiphospholipid Antibodies in COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1851. [PMID: 38140254 PMCID: PMC10747426 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare autoimmune condition associated with recombinant adenovirus (rAV)-based COVID-19 vaccines. It is thought to arise from autoantibodies targeting platelet factor 4 (aPF4), triggered by vaccine-induced inflammation and the formation of neo-antigenic complexes between PF4 and the rAV vector. To investigate the specific induction of aPF4 by rAV-based vaccines, we examined sera from rAV vaccine recipients (AZD1222, AD26.COV2.S) and messenger RNA (mRNA) based (mRNA-1273, BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine recipients. We compared the antibody fold change (FC) for aPF4 and for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) of rAV to mRNA vaccine recipients. We combined two biobanks of Dutch healthcare workers and matched rAV-vaccinated individuals to mRNA-vaccinated controls, based on age, sex and prior history of COVID-19 (AZD1222: 37, Ad26.COV2.S: 35, mRNA-1273: 47, BNT162b2: 26). We found no significant differences in aPF4 FCs after the first (0.99 vs. 1.08, mean difference (MD) = -0.11 (95% CI -0.23 to 0.057)) and second doses of AZD1222 (0.99 vs. 1.10, MD = -0.11 (95% CI -0.31 to 0.10)) and after a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S compared to mRNA-based vaccines (1.01 vs. 0.99, MD = 0.026 (95% CI -0.13 to 0.18)). The mean FCs for the aPL in rAV-based vaccine recipients were similar to those in mRNA-based vaccines. No correlation was observed between post-vaccination aPF4 levels and vaccine type (mean aPF difference -0.070 (95% CI -0.14 to 0.002) mRNA vs. rAV). In summary, our study indicates that rAV and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines do not substantially elevate aPF4 levels in healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs P. Raadsen
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.P.R.); (C.H.G.); (B.L.H.); (E.C.M.v.G.)
| | - Chantal Visser
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (C.V.); (M.P.M.d.M.)
| | - A. H. Ayesha Lavell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.H.A.L.); (M.K.B.)
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anita A. G. A. van de Munckhof
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.A.G.A.v.d.M.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Jonathan M. Coutinho
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.A.G.A.v.d.M.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Moniek P. M. de Maat
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (C.V.); (M.P.M.d.M.)
| | - Corine H. GeurtsvanKessel
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.P.R.); (C.H.G.); (B.L.H.); (E.C.M.v.G.)
| | | | - Marije K. Bomers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.H.A.L.); (M.K.B.)
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.P.R.); (C.H.G.); (B.L.H.); (E.C.M.v.G.)
| | - Eric C. M. van Gorp
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.P.R.); (C.H.G.); (B.L.H.); (E.C.M.v.G.)
| | - Leendert Porcelijn
- Department of Immunohematology Diagnostics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Marieke J. H. A. Kruip
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (C.V.); (M.P.M.d.M.)
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6
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Ngo ATP, Bochenek V, Gollomp K. The immunology of PF4 polyanion interactions. Curr Opin Hematol 2023; 30:219-229. [PMID: 37603711 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4), the most abundant α-granule platelet-specific chemokine, forms tetramers with an equatorial ring of high positive charge that bind to a wide range of polyanions, after which it changes conformation to expose antigenic epitopes. Antibodies directed against PF4 not only help to clear infection but can also lead to the development of thrombotic disorders such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). This review will outline the different mechanisms through which PF4 engagement with polyanions combats infection but also contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and thrombotic disease states. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work has shown that PF4 binding to microbial polyanions may improve outcomes in infection by enhancing leukocyte-bacterial binding, tethering pathogens to neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), decreasing the thrombotic potential of NET DNA, and modulating viral infectivity. However, PF4 binding to nucleic acids may enhance their recognition by innate immune receptors, leading to autoinflammation. Lastly, while HIT is induced by platelet activating antibodies that bind to PF4/polyanion complexes, VITT, which occurs in a small subset of patients treated with COVID-19 adenovirus vector vaccines, is characterized by prothrombotic antibodies that bind to PF4 alone. SUMMARY Investigating the complex interplay of PF4 and polyanions may provide insights relevant to the treatment of infectious disease while also improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of thrombotic disorders driven by anti-PF4/polyanion and anti-PF4 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh T P Ngo
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | | | - Kandace Gollomp
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Appelman B, Michels EHA, de Brabander J, Peters-Sengers H, van Amstel RBE, Noordzij SM, Klarenbeek AM, van Linge CCA, Chouchane O, Schuurman AR, Reijnders TDY, Douma RA, Bos LDJ, Wiersinga WJ, van der Poll T. Thrombocytopenia is associated with a dysregulated host response in severe COVID-19. Thromb Res 2023; 229:187-197. [PMID: 37541167 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thrombocytopenia is associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between thrombocytopenia and alterations in host response pathways implicated in disease pathogenesis in patients with severe COVID-19. PATIENTS/METHODS We studied COVID-19 patients admitted to a general hospital ward included in a national (CovidPredict) cohort derived from 13 hospitals in the Netherlands. In a subgroup, 43 host response biomarkers providing insight in aberrations in distinct pathophysiological domains (coagulation and endothelial cell function; inflammation and damage; cytokines and chemokines) were determined in plasma obtained at a single time point within 48 h after admission. Patients were stratified in those with normal platelet counts (150-400 × 109/L) and those with thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109/L). RESULTS 6.864 patients were enrolled in the national cohort, of whom 1.348 had thrombocytopenia and 5.516 had normal platelets counts; the biomarker cohort consisted of 429 patients, of whom 85 with thrombocytopenia and 344 with normal platelet counts. Plasma D-dimer levels were not different in thrombocytopenia, although patients with moderate-severe thrombocytopenia (<100 × 109/L) showed higher D-dimer levels, indicating enhanced coagulation activation. Patients with thrombocytopenia had lower plasma levels of many proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and antiviral mediators, suggesting involvement of platelets in inflammation and antiviral immunity. Thrombocytopenia was associated with alterations in endothelial cell biomarkers indicative of enhanced activation and a relatively preserved glycocalyx integrity. CONCLUSION Thrombocytopenia in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 is associated with broad host response changes across several pathophysiological domains. These results suggest a role of platelets in the immune response during severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent Appelman
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Erik H A Michels
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Justin de Brabander
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hessel Peters-Sengers
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rombout B E van Amstel
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sophie M Noordzij
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Augustijn M Klarenbeek
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christine C A van Linge
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Osoul Chouchane
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alex R Schuurman
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom D Y Reijnders
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Renée A Douma
- Flevo Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Almere, the Netherlands
| | - Lieuwe D J Bos
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - W Joost Wiersinga
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van der Poll
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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8
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Fonseca DLM, Filgueiras IS, Marques AHC, Vojdani E, Halpert G, Ostrinski Y, Baiocchi GC, Plaça DR, Freire PP, Pour SZ, Moll G, Catar R, Lavi YB, Silverberg JI, Zimmerman J, Cabral-Miranda G, Carvalho RF, Khan TA, Heidecke H, Dalmolin RJS, Luchessi AD, Ochs HD, Schimke LF, Amital H, Riemekasten G, Zyskind I, Rosenberg AZ, Vojdani A, Shoenfeld Y, Cabral-Marques O. Severe COVID-19 patients exhibit elevated levels of autoantibodies targeting cardiolipin and platelet glycoprotein with age: a systems biology approach. NPJ AGING 2023; 9:21. [PMID: 37620330 PMCID: PMC10449916 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-023-00118-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Age is a significant risk factor for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity due to immunosenescence and certain age-dependent medical conditions (e.g., obesity, cardiovascular disorder, and chronic respiratory disease). However, despite the well-known influence of age on autoantibody biology in health and disease, its impact on the risk of developing severe COVID-19 remains poorly explored. Here, we performed a cross-sectional study of autoantibodies directed against 58 targets associated with autoimmune diseases in 159 individuals with different COVID-19 severity (71 mild, 61 moderate, and 27 with severe symptoms) and 73 healthy controls. We found that the natural production of autoantibodies increases with age and is exacerbated by SARS-CoV-2 infection, mostly in severe COVID-19 patients. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that severe COVID-19 patients have a significant age-associated increase of autoantibody levels against 16 targets (e.g., amyloid β peptide, β catenin, cardiolipin, claudin, enteric nerve, fibulin, insulin receptor a, and platelet glycoprotein). Principal component analysis with spectrum decomposition and hierarchical clustering analysis based on these autoantibodies indicated an age-dependent stratification of severe COVID-19 patients. Random forest analysis ranked autoantibodies targeting cardiolipin, claudin, and platelet glycoprotein as the three most crucial autoantibodies for the stratification of severe COVID-19 patients ≥50 years of age. Follow-up analysis using binomial logistic regression found that anti-cardiolipin and anti-platelet glycoprotein autoantibodies significantly increased the likelihood of developing a severe COVID-19 phenotype with aging. These findings provide key insights to explain why aging increases the chance of developing more severe COVID-19 phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennyson Leandro M Fonseca
- Interunit Postgraduate Program on Bioinformatics, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (IME), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Igor Salerno Filgueiras
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre H C Marques
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elroy Vojdani
- Regenera Medical 11860 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 301, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, USA
| | - Gilad Halpert
- Ariel University, Ari'el, Israel
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Saint Petersburg State University Russia, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yuri Ostrinski
- Ariel University, Ari'el, Israel
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Saint Petersburg State University Russia, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gabriela Crispim Baiocchi
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Desirée Rodrigues Plaça
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula P Freire
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Shahab Zaki Pour
- Laboratory of Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Guido Moll
- Departament of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rusan Catar
- Departament of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yael Bublil Lavi
- Scakler faculty of medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jonathan I Silverberg
- Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Gustavo Cabral-Miranda
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Robson F Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Taj Ali Khan
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Harald Heidecke
- CellTrend Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH), Luckenwalde, Germany
| | - Rodrigo J S Dalmolin
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Andre Ducati Luchessi
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, R.N., Natal, Brazil
| | - Hans D Ochs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, and Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lena F Schimke
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Howard Amital
- Ariel University, Ari'el, Israel
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Israel Zyskind
- Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Avi Z Rosenberg
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aristo Vojdani
- Department of Immunology, Immunosciences Laboratory, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC 2602 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ, 85034, USA
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Otavio Cabral-Marques
- Interunit Postgraduate Program on Bioinformatics, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (IME), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Pharmacy and Postgraduate Program of Health and Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation 29, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy, Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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9
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Talledo J, Cho HJ, Alaiev D, Israilov S, Chandra K, Zaurova M, Manchego PA, Shin D, Tsega S, Krouss M. Reducing Inappropriate Simultaneous Ordering of Heparin Antibody and Serotonin Release Assays. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2023; 49:306-312. [PMID: 37137754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A 4T score with intermediate or high probability of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia prompts ordering of anti-platelet 4 heparin complex. If positive, a serotonin release assay (SRA) is recommended to confirm diagnosis. Despite these recommendations, overtesting of both anti-platelet 4 and SRA is highly prevalent. METHODS This was a quality improvement initiative using two forms of clinical decision support across 11 acute care hospitals. First, a 4T calculator was incorporated into anti-platelet 4 orders. Second, a Best Practice Advisory fired when anti-platelet 4 and SRA were ordered simultaneously, prompting the provider to remove the SRA order. Data were analyzed by a quasi-experimental interrupted time series linear regression comparing weekly average laboratory tests per 1,000 patient-days pre- and postintervention. RESULTS Average ordering frequency of anti-platelet 4 changed from 0.508 to 0.510 per 1,000 patient-days (0.5%, p = 0.42) without significant slope or level differences. Average ordering frequency of SRA decreased from 0.430 to 0.289 per 1,000 patient-days (32.8%, p < 0.001) with a significant level difference of -0.128 orders per 1,000 patient-days (-31.2%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION A simultaneous Best Practice Advisory was effective in reducing SRA orders, but not anti-platelet 4 orders.
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10
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Roytenberg R, García-Sastre A, Li W. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia: what do we know hitherto? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1155727. [PMID: 37261122 PMCID: PMC10227460 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1155727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), also known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, is a catastrophic and life-threatening reaction to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, which occurs disproportionately in response to vaccination with non-replicating adenovirus vector (AV) vaccines. The mechanism of VITT is not well defined and it has not been resolved why cases of VITT are predominated by vaccination with AV vaccines. However, virtually all VITT patients have positive platelet-activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibody titers. Subsequently, platelets are activated and depleted in an Fcγ-receptor IIa (FcγRIIa or CD32a)-dependent manner, but it is not clear why or how the anti-PF4 response is mounted. This review describes the pathogenesis of VITT and provides insight into possible mechanisms that prompt the formation of a PF4/polyanion complex, which drives VITT pathology, as an amalgam of current experimental data or hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renat Roytenberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
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11
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Niculae CM, Hristea A, Moroti R. Mechanisms of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Thrombosis: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030929. [PMID: 36979908 PMCID: PMC10045826 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is frequently associated with pulmonary thrombotic events, especially in hospitalized patients. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by a proinflammatory state and an associated disbalance in hemostasis. Immune pathology analysis supports the inflammatory nature of pulmonary arterial thrombi composed of white blood cells, especially neutrophils, CD3+ and CD20+ lymphocytes, fibrin, red blood cells, and platelets. Immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and the complement system are key drivers of immunothrombosis, as they induce the damage of endothelial cells and initiate proinflammatory and procoagulant positive feedback loops. Neutrophil extracellular traps induced by COVID-19-associated “cytokine storm”, platelets, red blood cells, and coagulation pathways close the inflammation–endotheliopathy–thrombosis axis, contributing to SARS-CoV-2-associated pulmonary thrombotic events. The hypothesis of immunothrombosis is also supported by the minor role of venous thromboembolism with chest CT imaging data showing peripheral blood clots associated with inflammatory lesions and the high incidence of thrombotic events despite routine thromboprophylaxis. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind COVID-19-induced pulmonary thrombosis will lead to future combination therapies for hospitalized patients with severe disease that would target the crossroads of inflammatory and coagulation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian-Mihail Niculae
- Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.H.); (R.M.)
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, 1 Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Adriana Hristea
- Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.H.); (R.M.)
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, 1 Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ruxandra Moroti
- Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.H.); (R.M.)
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, 1 Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
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12
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Autoimmune complications of COVID-19 and potential consequences for long-lasting disease syndromes. Transfus Apher Sci 2023; 62:103625. [PMID: 36585276 PMCID: PMC9757887 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2022.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The latest WHO report determined the increasing diversity within the CoV-2 omicron and its descendent lineages. Some heavily mutated offshoots of BA.5 and BA.2, such as BA.4.6, BF.7, BQ.1.1, and BA.2.75, are responsible for about 20% of infections and are spreading rapidly in multiple countries. It is a sign that Omicron subvariants are now developing a capacity to be more immune escaping and may contribute to a new wave of COVID-19. Covid-19 infections often induce many alterations in human physiological defense and the natural control systems, with exacerbated activation of the inflammatory and homeostatic response, as for any infectious diseases. Severe activation of the early phase of hemostatic components, often occurs, leading to thrombotic complications and often contributing to a lethal outcome selectively in certain populations. Development of autoimmune complications increases the disease burden and lowers its prognosis. While the true mechanism still remains unclear, it is believed to mainly be related to the host autoimmune responses as demonstrated, only in some patients suffering from the presence of autoantibodies that worsens the disease evolution. In fact in some studies the development of autoantibodies to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was identified, and in other studies autoantibodies, thought to be targeting interferon or binding to annexin A1, or autoantibodies to phospholipids were seen. Moreover, the occurrence of autoimmune heparin induced thrombocytopenia has also been described in infected patients treated with heparin for controlling thrombogenicity. This commentary focuses on the presence of various autoantibodies reported so far in Covid-19 diseases, exploring their association with the disease course and the durability of some related symptoms. Attempts are also made to further analyze the potential mechanism of actions and link the presence of antibodies with pathological complications.
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