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Pavel V, Räth U, Schmid S, Krautbauer S, Keller D, Amend P, Müller M, Mester P, Buechler C. Serum Adiponectin Predicts COVID-19 Severity. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1043. [PMID: 38791005 PMCID: PMC11117573 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051043] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin is primarily known for its protective role in metabolic diseases, and it also possesses immunoregulatory properties. Elevated levels of adiponectin have been observed in various inflammatory diseases. However, studies investigating adiponectin levels in the serum of COVID-19 patients have yielded conflicting results. This study aimed to assess serum adiponectin levels in 26 healthy controls, as well as in 64 patients with moderate and 60 patients with severe COVID-19, to determine a potential association between serum adiponectin and the severity of COVID-19. Serum adiponectin levels in severe COVID-19 patients were significantly lower than in those with moderate disease and healthy controls, who exhibited similar serum adiponectin levels. Among patients with moderate disease, positive correlations were observed between serum adiponectin and C-reactive protein levels. Of note, serum adiponectin levels of severe COVID-19 cases were comparable between patients with and without dialysis or vasopressor therapy. Superinfection with bacteria did not exert a notable influence on serum adiponectin levels in patients with severe disease. Patients who were diagnosed with severe COVID-19 and vancomycin-resistant enterococci bacteremia showed a significant reduction in their serum adiponectin levels. An analysis conducted on the entire cohort, including both moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, showed that individuals who did not survive had lower serum adiponectin levels when compared to those who survived. In summary, this study highlights a decrease in serum adiponectin levels in severe COVID-19 cases, indicating the potential utility of adiponectin as an additional biomarker for monitoring disease severity in COVID-19 or critical illnesses in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Pavel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Ulrich Räth
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Stephan Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Sabrina Krautbauer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Dennis Keller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Pablo Amend
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Patricia Mester
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
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Lavis P, Bondue B, Cardozo AK. The Dual Role of Chemerin in Lung Diseases. Cells 2024; 13:171. [PMID: 38247862 PMCID: PMC10814516 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020171] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemerin is an atypical chemokine first described as a chemoattractant agent for monocytes, natural killer cells, plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells, through interaction with its main receptor, the G protein-coupled receptor chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). Chemerin has been studied in various lung disease models, showing both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties. Given the incidence and burden of inflammatory lung diseases from diverse origins (infectious, autoimmune, age-related, etc.), chemerin has emerged as an interesting therapeutical target due to its immunomodulatory role. However, as highlighted by this review, further research efforts to elucidate the mechanisms governing chemerin's dual pro- and anti-inflammatory characteristics are urgently needed. Moreover, although a growing body of evidence suggests chemerin as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of inflammatory lung diseases, this review underscores the necessity for standardizing both sampling types and measurement techniques before drawing definitive conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philomène Lavis
- Department of Pathology, Brussels University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium;
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (I.R.I.B.H.M.), Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Benjamin Bondue
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (I.R.I.B.H.M.), Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Pneumology, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Kupper Cardozo
- Inflammation and Cell Death Signalling Group, Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Capra AP, Crupi L, Pantò G, Repici A, Calapai F, Squeri R, Ardizzone A, Esposito E. Serum Pentraxin 3 as Promising Biomarker for the Long-Lasting Inflammatory Response of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14195. [PMID: 37762499 PMCID: PMC10531731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, biological markers for COVID-19 disease severity still constitute the main goal of enhancing an efficient treatment to reduce critical consequences such as an abnormal systemic inflammatory response. In this regard, the latest research has shown that Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a highly conserved innate immunity protein, may serve as a valuable biochemical marker. Based on this evidence, we conducted a case-control study to compare the PTX3 serum levels and several immune-inflammatory mediators of 80 healthcare workers who were subdivided into subjects who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 40) and individuals who were never infected (n = 40). Using a commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), PTX3 and various immune-inflammatory protein levels were assessed in serum samples, while also considering possible variables (e.g., gender-related differences). We have shown elevated levels of PTX3 and other inflammatory proteins in previously infected COVID-19-positive subjects (p < 0.001). Moreover, the obtained data also indicate a degree of severity influenced by gender, as shown by the subgroup analysis, in which PTX3 expression was more pronounced in previously COVID-19-positive males (p < 0.001) than in females (p < 0.05) compared to the respective controls. In addition, our data further validate, through a direct comparison of previously COVID-19-positive subjects, greater pro-inflammatory levels in males than in females. Overall, our results may support the validity of PTX3 as a systemic biomarker in prolonged systemic inflammatory responses in the context of COVID-19. Thus, PTX3 modulation could constitute an effective therapeutic strategy for improving the recovery from COVID-19 and its systemic long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (L.C.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Lelio Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (L.C.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Giuseppe Pantò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.P.); (R.S.)
| | - Alberto Repici
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (L.C.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Fabrizio Calapai
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (L.C.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (E.E.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Raffaele Squeri
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.P.); (R.S.)
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (L.C.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.P.C.); (L.C.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (E.E.)
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Amend P, Mester P, Schmid S, Müller M, Buechler C, Pavel V. Plasma Chemerin Is Induced in Critically Ill Patients with Gram-Positive Infections. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1779. [PMID: 37509420 PMCID: PMC10376393 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemerin is a chemoattractant protein abundantly expressed in hepatocytes. Chemerin exerts pro- and anti-inflammatory effects and acts as a pro-resolving protein. Chemerin levels are low in patients with liver cirrhosis and are increased in sepsis. The aim of this study was to identify associations between plasma chemerin levels and underlying diseases as well as causes of severe illness. The cohort included 32 patients with liver cirrhosis who had low systemic chemerin, and who were not considered for further evaluation. Plasma chemerin levels were similar between the 27 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), the 34 patients with sepsis and the 63 patients with septic shock. Chemerin in plasma correlated with C-reactive protein and leukocyte count but not with procalcitonin, a clinical marker of bacterial infection. Plasma chemerin did not differ among patients with and without ventilation and patients with and without dialysis. Vasopressor therapy was not associated with altered plasma chemerin levels. Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 had no effect on plasma chemerin levels. Baseline levels of plasma chemerin could not discriminate between survivors and non-survivors. Notably, Gram-positive infection was associated with higher chemerin levels. In summary, the current study suggests that plasma chemerin might serve as an early biomarker for the diagnosis of Gram-positive infections in patients with sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Amend
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patricia Mester
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Vlad Pavel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Grewal T, Buechler C. Adipokines as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers for the Severity of COVID-19. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051302. [PMID: 37238973 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence implicates obesity as a risk factor for increased severity of disease outcomes in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Obesity is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which not only predisposes individuals to metabolic complications, but also substantially contributes to low-grade systemic inflammation, altered immune cell composition, and compromised immune function. This seems to impact the susceptibility and outcome of diseases caused by viruses, as obese people appear more vulnerable to developing infections and they recover later from infectious diseases than normal-weight individuals. Based on these findings, increased efforts to identify suitable diagnostic and prognostic markers in obese Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients to predict disease outcomes have been made. This includes the analysis of cytokines secreted from adipose tissues (adipokines), which have multiple regulatory functions in the body; for instance, modulating insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, lipid metabolism, appetite, and fertility. Most relevant in the context of viral infections, adipokines also influence the immune cell number, with consequences for overall immune cell activity and function. Hence, the analysis of the circulating levels of diverse adipokines in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been considered to reveal diagnostic and prognostic COVID-19 markers. This review article summarizes the findings aimed to correlate the circulating levels of adipokines with progression and disease outcomes of COVID-19. Several studies provided insights on chemerin, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and galectin-3 levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, while limited information is yet available on the adipokines apelin and visfatin in COVID-19. Altogether, current evidence points at circulating galectin-3 and resistin levels being of diagnostic and prognostic value in COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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The Prognostic Value of Pentraxin-3 in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Mortality Incidence. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043537. [PMID: 36834949 PMCID: PMC9958638 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last three years, humanity has been facing one of the most serious health emergencies due to the global spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this scenario, the research of reliable biomarkers of mortality from COVID-19 represents a primary objective. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a highly conserved protein of innate immunity, seems to be associated with a worse outcome of the disease. Based on the above, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic potential of PTX3 in COVID-19 disease. We included 12 clinical studies evaluating PTX3 in COVID-19 patients. From our research, we found increased PTX3 levels compared to healthy subjects, and notably, PTX3 was even more augmented in severe COVID-19 rather than non-severe cases. Moreover, we performed a meta-analysis to establish if there were differences between ICU and non-ICU COVID-19 patients in PTX3-related death. We combined 5 studies for a total of 543 ICU vs. 515 non-ICU patients. We found high significative PTX3-related death in ICU COVID-19 hospitalized individuals (184 out of 543) compared to non-ICU (37 out of 515), with an overall effect OR: 11.30 [2.00, 63.73]; p = 0.006. In conclusion, we probed PTX3 as a reliable marker of poor outcomes after COVID-19 infection as well as a predictor of hospitalized patients' stratification.
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