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Chen JI, Bui D, Iwashyna TJ, Shahoumian TA, Hickok A, Shepherd-Banigan M, Hawkins EJ, Naylor J, Govier DJ, Osborne TF, Smith VA, Bowling CB, Boyko EJ, Ioannou GN, Maciejewski ML, O'Hare AM, Viglianti EM, Bohnert ASB, Hynes DM. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Long-Term Depression Symptoms among Veterans. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:1310-1316. [PMID: 38625482 PMCID: PMC11169300 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior research demonstrates that SARS-COV-2 infection can be associated with a broad range of mental health outcomes including depression symptoms. Veterans, in particular, may be at elevated risk of increased depression following SARS-COV-2 infection given their high rates of pre-existing mental and physical health comorbidities. However, few studies have tried to isolate SARS-COV-2 infection associations with long term, patient-reported depression symptoms from other factors (e.g., physical health comorbidities, pandemic-related stress). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between SARS-COV-2 infection and subsequent depression symptoms among United States Military Veterans. DESIGN Survey-based non-randomized cohort study with matched comparators. PARTICIPANTS A matched-dyadic sample from a larger, stratified random sample of participants with and without known to SARS-COV-2 infection were invited to participate in a survey evaluating mental health and wellness 18-months after their index infection date. Sampled participants were stratified by infection severity of the participant infected with SARS-COV-2 (hospitalized or not) and by month of index date. A total of 186 participants in each group agreed to participate in the survey and had sufficient data for inclusion in analyses. Those in the uninfected group who were later infected were excluded from analyses. MAIN MEASURES Participants were administered the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as part of a phone interview survey. Demographics, physical and mental health comorbidities were extracted from VHA administrative data. KEY RESULTS Veterans infected with SARS-COV-2 had significantly higher depression symptoms scores compared with those uninfected. In particular, psychological symptoms (e.g., low mood, suicidal ideation) scores were elevated relative to the comparator group (MInfected = 3.16, 95%CI: 2.5, 3.8; MUninfected = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.4, 2.5). Findings were similar regardless of history of depression. CONCLUSION SARS-COV-2 infection was associated with more depression symptoms among Veterans at 18-months post-infection. Routine evaluation of depression symptoms over time following SARS-COV-2 infection is important to facilitate adequate assessment and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason I Chen
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System (HCS), Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - David Bui
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System (HCS), Portland, OR, USA
| | - Theodore J Iwashyna
- Departments of Medicine and Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor HCS, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Alex Hickok
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System (HCS), Portland, OR, USA
| | - Megan Shepherd-Banigan
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham VA HCS, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eric J Hawkins
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound HCS, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound HCS, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer Naylor
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- VISN 6 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham VA HCS, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Diana J Govier
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System (HCS), Portland, OR, USA
- OHSU-Portland State University School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Thomas F Osborne
- VA Palo Alto HCS, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Valerie A Smith
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham VA HCS, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - C Barrett Bowling
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham VA HCS, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA HCS, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Edward J Boyko
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research Information Center, VA Puget Sound HCS, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - George N Ioannou
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound HCS, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew L Maciejewski
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham VA HCS, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ann M O'Hare
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound HCS, Seattle, WA, USA
- Hospital and Specialty Medicine Service, VA Puget Sound HCS, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Viglianti
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor HCS, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amy S-B Bohnert
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor HCS, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Denise M Hynes
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System (HCS), Portland, OR, USA
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, and Center for Quantitative Life Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA
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2
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Zaira B, Yulianti T, Levita J. Correlation between Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) with D-Dimer and Interleukin-6 as Prognostic Markers of Coagulation and Inflammation in Long COVID-19 Survivors. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5725-5740. [PMID: 37504277 PMCID: PMC10377933 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070361] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In general, an individual who experiences the symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 infection is declared as recovered after 2 weeks. However, approximately 10-20% of these survivors have been reported to encounter long-term health problems, defined as 'long COVID-19', e.g., blood coagulation which leads to stroke with an estimated incidence of 3%, and pulmonary embolism with 5% incidence. At the time of infection, the immune response produces pro-inflammatory cytokines that stimulate stromal cells to produce pro-hepatocyte growth factor (pro-HGF) and eventually is activated into hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which helps the coagulation process in endothelial and epithelial cells. HGF is a marker that appears as an inflammatory response that leads to coagulation. Currently, there is no information on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on serum HGF concentrations as a marker of the prognosis of coagulation in long COVID-19 survivors. This review discusses the pathophysiology between COVID-19 and HGF, IL-6, and D-dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bena Zaira
- Student at Master Program in Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia
- Prodia Education and Research Institute, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Trilis Yulianti
- Prodia Education and Research Institute, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Jutti Levita
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia
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Luciani LL, Miller LM, Zhai B, Clarke K, Hughes Kramer K, Schratz LJ, Balasubramani GK, Dauer K, Nowalk MP, Zimmerman RK, Shoemaker JE, Alcorn JF. Blood Inflammatory Biomarkers Differentiate Inpatient and Outpatient Coronavirus Disease 2019 From Influenza. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad095. [PMID: 36949873 PMCID: PMC10026548 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad095] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The ongoing circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a diagnostic challenge because symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases. Our goal was to use statistical analyses and machine learning to identify biomarkers that distinguish patients with COVID-19 from patients with influenza. Methods Cytokine levels were analyzed in plasma and serum samples from patients with influenza and COVID-19, which were collected as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (inpatient network) and the US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (outpatient network). Results We determined that interleukin (IL)-10 family cytokines are significantly different between COVID-19 and influenza patients. The results suggest that the IL-10 family cytokines are a potential diagnostic biomarker to distinguish COVID-19 and influenza infection, especially for inpatients. We also demonstrate that cytokine combinations, consisting of up to 3 cytokines, can distinguish SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infection with high accuracy in both inpatient (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC] = 0.84) and outpatient (AUC = 0.81) groups, revealing another potential screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions This study not only reveals prospective screening tools for COVID-19 infections that are independent of polymerase chain reaction testing or clinical condition, but it also emphasizes potential pathways involved in disease pathogenesis that act as potential targets for future mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L Luciani
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leigh M Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bo Zhai
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karen Clarke
- Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kailey Hughes Kramer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lucas J Schratz
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - G K Balasubramani
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Klancie Dauer
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Patricia Nowalk
- Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard K Zimmerman
- Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jason E Shoemaker
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John F Alcorn
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Griffiths JS, Orr SJ, Morton CO, Loeffler J, White PL. The Use of Host Biomarkers for the Management of Invasive Fungal Disease. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121307. [PMID: 36547640 PMCID: PMC9784708 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal disease (IFD) causes severe morbidity and mortality, and the number of IFD cases is increasing. Exposure to opportunistic fungal pathogens is inevitable, but not all patients with underlying diseases increasing susceptibility to IFD, develop it. IFD diagnosis currently uses fungal biomarkers and clinical risk/presentation to stratify high-risk patients and classifies them into possible, probable, and proven IFD. However, the fungal species responsible for IFD are highly diverse and present numerous diagnostic challenges, which culminates in the empirical anti-fungal treatment of patients at risk of IFD. Recent studies have focussed on host-derived biomarkers that may mediate IFD risk and can be used to predict, and even identify IFD. The identification of novel host genetic variants, host gene expression changes, and host protein expression (cytokines and chemokines) associated with increased risk of IFD has enhanced our understanding of why only some patients at risk of IFD actually develop disease. Furthermore, these host biomarkers when incorporated into predictive models alongside conventional diagnostic techniques enhance predictive and diagnostic results. Once validated in larger studies, host biomarkers associated with IFD may optimize the clinical management of populations at risk of IFD. This review will summarise the latest developments in the identification of host biomarkers for IFD, their use in predictive modelling and their potential application/usefulness for informing clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S. Griffiths
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Selinda J. Orr
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | | | - Juergen Loeffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - P. Lewis White
- Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
- Correspondence:
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Dyslipidemia and Inflammation as Hallmarks of Oxidative Stress in COVID-19: A Follow-Up Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315350. [PMID: 36499671 PMCID: PMC9736368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent works have demonstrated a significant reduction in cholesterol levels and increased oxidative stress in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The cause of this alteration is not well known. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate their possible association during the evolution of COVID-19. This is an observational prospective study. The primary endpoint was to analyze the association between lipid peroxidation, lipid, and inflammatory profiles in COVID-19 patients. A multivariate regression analysis was employed. The secondary endpoint included the long-term follow-up of lipid profiles. COVID-19 patients presented significantly lower values in their lipid profile (total, low, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) with greater oxidative stress and inflammatory response compared to the healthy controls. Lipid peroxidation was the unique oxidative parameter with a significant association with the total cholesterol (OR: 0.982; 95% CI: 0.969-0.996; p = 0.012), IL1-RA (OR: 0.999; 95% CI: 0.998-0.999; p = 0.021) IL-6 (OR: 1.062; 95% CI: 1.017-1.110; p = 0.007), IL-7 (OR: 0.653; 95% CI: 0.433-0.986; p = 0.042) and IL-17 (OR: 1.098; 95% CI: 1.010-1.193; p = 0.028). Lipid abnormalities recovered after the initial insult during long-term follow-up (IQR 514 days); however, those with high LPO levels at hospital admission had, during long-term follow-up, an atherogenic lipid profile. Our study suggests that oxidative stress in COVID-19 is associated with derangements of the lipid profile and inflammation. Survivors experienced a recovery in their lipid profiles during long-term follow-up, but those with stronger oxidative responses had an atherogenic lipid profile.
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Exploration of Predictive Biomarkers for Postoperative Recurrence in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps Based on Serum Multiple-Cytokine Profiling. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:1061658. [PMID: 36211987 PMCID: PMC9534722 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1061658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Functional nasal endoscopic surgery (FESS) is an effective treatment approach for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients, but some patients still suffer from postoperative recurrence. This study is aimed at investigating the expression of multiple cytokines in CRSwNP and revealing their relationships with postoperative recurrence. Methods A total of 72 patients with CRSwNP, including 36 primary and 36 recurrent patients, were enrolled. Serum samples were obtained, 30 cytokine levels were measured by multiplex analysis, and the association between cytokine levels and recurrence was assessed. The most potential cytokines were further validated in another independent cohort with 60 primary and 60 recurrent CRSwNP patients. Results The results of multiple cytokine profiling exhibited that the levels of eotaxin, G-CSF, IFN-α, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-5, MCP-1, and RANTES were vastly changed in the recurrent group in comparison with the primary group. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves highlighted that serum levels of eotaxin, IL-17A, and RANTES were strongly predictive of postoperative recurrence (area under the curve (AUC) > 0.7, P < 0.05). Further validation results showed that elevated serum eotaxin, IL-17A, and RANTES levels were enhanced in the recurrent group. The ROC curve showed that serum eotaxin (AUC = 0.729, P < 0.001) and RANTES (AUC = 0.776, P < 0.001) exhibited stronger ability than serum IL-17A (AUC = 0.617, P = 0.027) in predicting CRSwNP recurrence. Conclusion Our data suggested that serum multiple cytokine profiling was associated with postoperative recurrence of CRSwNP, and eotaxin and RANTES might serve as potential biomarkers for predicting postoperative recurrence. These results might contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of recurrence and provide novel clues for precision therapy in CRSwNP.
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Tamayo-Velasco Á, Bombín-Canal C, Cebeira MJ, Sánchez-De Prada L, Miramontes-González JP, Martín-Fernández M, Peñarrubia-Ponce MJ. Full Characterization of Thrombotic Events in All Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Spanish Tertiary Hospital during the First 18 Months of the Pandemic. J Clin Med 2022; 11:3443. [PMID: 35743512 PMCID: PMC9225147 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of a procoagulant state, COVID-19-related coagulopathy, and an increased rate of thrombotic events (TEs) is widely known about. However, descriptive studies are scarce. Here, we conducted a large retrospective study including 2894 hospitalized COVID-19 patients followed up during the first 18 months of the pandemic to completely characterize any TE. Major TEs showed a 3.45% incidence rate. TEs were associated with increased intubation/90-day mortality risk [OR = 1.71, 95% CI (1.12−2.61), p < 0.013]. Venous thrombotic events (VTEs) were more frequent than arterial thrombotic events (ATEs) (72% vs. 28%), associated with enhanced levels of D-dimer (cross-linked fibrin derivatives formed during thrombolysis), which were related to mortality but more useful for early detection of thrombosis. In this regard, D-dimer plasma levels above 2014 µg/mL at hospital admission identify TEs with 91% accuracy (AUC = 0.91, p < 0.001), rising to almost 95% (AUC = 0.94, p < 0.001) with a cut-off value of 2666 µg/mL in VTEs. Moreover, 41% of TEs occurred in patients receiving LMWH thromboprophylactic treatments in hospital or domiciliary therapies. SARS-CoV-2 infection along with a sedentary lifestyle derived from the confinement in 2020 could be more determinant than a procoagulant state in patients with risk factors for TEs. Furthermore, the normal results obtained from the thrombophilia study after the acute process are linked to this independent procoagulant state and to SARS-CoV-2-derived coagulopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Tamayo-Velasco
- Department of Haematology and Hemotherapy, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (Á.T.-V.); (C.B.-C.); (M.J.C.); (M.J.P.-P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Carolina Bombín-Canal
- Department of Haematology and Hemotherapy, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (Á.T.-V.); (C.B.-C.); (M.J.C.); (M.J.P.-P.)
| | - María José Cebeira
- Department of Haematology and Hemotherapy, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (Á.T.-V.); (C.B.-C.); (M.J.C.); (M.J.P.-P.)
| | - Laura Sánchez-De Prada
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - José Pablo Miramontes-González
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, 47012 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Marta Martín-Fernández
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- BioCritic, Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Toxicology and Dermatology, Universidad de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Peñarrubia-Ponce
- Department of Haematology and Hemotherapy, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (Á.T.-V.); (C.B.-C.); (M.J.C.); (M.J.P.-P.)
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8
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Tamayo-Velasco Á, Peñarrubia-Ponce MJ, Álvarez FJ, de la Fuente I, Pérez-González S, Andaluz-Ojeda D. ABO Blood System and COVID-19 Susceptibility: Anti-A and Anti-B Antibodies Are the Key Points. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:882477. [PMID: 35547235 PMCID: PMC9081929 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.882477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The implication of the ABO blood group in COVID-19 disease was formulated early, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic more than 2 years ago. It has now been established that the A blood group is associated with more susceptibility and severe symptoms of COVID-19, while the O blood group shows protection against viral infection. In this review, we summarize the underlying pathophysiology of ABO blood groups and COVID-19 to explain the molecular aspects behind the protective mechanism in the O blood group. A or B antigens are not associated with a different risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection than that of other antigens. In this case, the cornerstone is natural anti-A and anti-B antibodies from the ABO system. They are capable of interfering with the S protein (SARS-CoV-2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2; host cell receptor), thereby conferring protection to patients with sufficient antibodies (O blood group). Indeed, the titers of natural antibodies and the IgG isotype (specific to the O blood group) may be determinants of susceptibility and severity. Moreover, older adults are associated with a higher risk of bad outcomes due to the lack of antibodies and the upregulation of ACE2 expression during senescence. A better understanding of the role of the molecular mechanism of ABO blood groups in COVID-19 facilitates better prognostic stratification of the disease. Furthermore, it could represent an opportunity for new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Tamayo-Velasco
- Haematology and Hemotherapy Service, University Clinical Hospital, Valladolid, Spain
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Javier Álvarez
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, Valladolid, Spain
- Pharmacological Big Data Laboratory, Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ignacio de la Fuente
- Haematology and Hemotherapy Service, University Clinical Hospital, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sonia Pérez-González
- Haematology and Hemotherapy Service, University Clinical Hospital, Valladolid, Spain
| | - David Andaluz-Ojeda
- Intensive Care Service, Hospital Universitario Sanchinarro, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
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Xie S, Fan R, Tang Q, Cai X, Zhang H, Wang F, Xie S, Gao K, Zhang J, Xie Z, Jiang W. Identification of Robust Biomarkers for Early Predicting Efficacy of Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in Children With House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis by Multiple Cytokine Profiling. Front Immunol 2022; 12:805404. [PMID: 35095890 PMCID: PMC8789884 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.805404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is an effective treatment for children with allergic rhinitis (AR), but its efficacy fluctuates among patients. There are no reliable candidate biomarkers for monitoring and predicting the response to SCIT. The present study aims to identify novel biomarkers for early predicting the efficacy of SCIT in pediatric AR patients based on multiple cytokine profiling. Methods We prospectively recruited 72 children with house dust mite (HDM)-induced AR who were assigned to receive SCIT. The serum samples were collected and multiple cytokine profiling was conducted by Luminex assay at baseline. All patients were followed-up for 1 year and then categorized into effective and ineffective group based on their efficacy, and levels of 48 selected cytokines were tested and compared between the two groups. The potential cytokines were further validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a cohort with 54 responders and 26 non-responders. Results Sixty-nine of 72 children completed one-year follow-up schedule with 46 included in effective group and 23 in ineffective group. The results of multiple cytokine profiling showed that 15 cytokines (eotaxin, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-12(p40), IL-13, IL-15, IL-16, IL-4, MIF, MIP-1α, RANTES, SCF, SDF-1α and VEGF) were dysregulated between effective and ineffective group (all P < 0.05). Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate analysis models highlighted that serum eotaxin, IFN-γ, IL-4 and MIF levels closely associated with the efficacy of SCIT in pediatric HDM-induced AR patients. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed potential values of these four biomarkers in predicting the response to SCIT. Further ELISA validation results in the cohort of 80 pediatric patients demonstrated that serum eotaxin and IL-4 levels were elevated in responders while IFN-γ levels decreased in responders (all P < 0.05). ROC curves demonstrated that serum IL-4 exhibited more reliable accuracy in predicting SCIT efficacy than eotaxin and IFN-γ. Conclusion Our discover–validation study suggested that cytokines including IL-4, eotaxin and IFN- γ may serve as robust biomarkers for early predicting response of SCIT in children with HDM-induced AR. These results strengthen the evidence that cytokines were associated with the response of SCIT and contributed to understand its underlying therapeutic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaobing Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ruohao Fan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qingping Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao Cai
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fengjun Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shumin Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kelei Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junyi Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhihai Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weihong Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Critical Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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10
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Hasankhani A, Bahrami A, Sheybani N, Aria B, Hemati B, Fatehi F, Ghaem Maghami Farahani H, Javanmard G, Rezaee M, Kastelic JP, Barkema HW. Differential Co-Expression Network Analysis Reveals Key Hub-High Traffic Genes as Potential Therapeutic Targets for COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Immunol 2021; 12:789317. [PMID: 34975885 PMCID: PMC8714803 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.789317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The recent emergence of COVID-19, rapid worldwide spread, and incomplete knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection have limited development of therapeutic strategies. Our objective was to systematically investigate molecular regulatory mechanisms of COVID-19, using a combination of high throughput RNA-sequencing-based transcriptomics and systems biology approaches. Methods RNA-Seq data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy persons, mild and severe 17 COVID-19 patients were analyzed to generate a gene expression matrix. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression modules in healthy samples as a reference set. For differential co-expression network analysis, module preservation and module-trait relationships approaches were used to identify key modules. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, based on co-expressed hub genes, were constructed to identify hub genes/TFs with the highest information transfer (hub-high traffic genes) within candidate modules. Results Based on differential co-expression network analysis, connectivity patterns and network density, 72% (15 of 21) of modules identified in healthy samples were altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 caused systemic perturbations in host biological gene networks. In functional enrichment analysis, among 15 non-preserved modules and two significant highly-correlated modules (identified by MTRs), 9 modules were directly related to the host immune response and COVID-19 immunopathogenesis. Intriguingly, systemic investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection identified signaling pathways and key genes/proteins associated with COVID-19's main hallmarks, e.g., cytokine storm, respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute lung injury (ALI), lymphopenia, coagulation disorders, thrombosis, and pregnancy complications, as well as comorbidities associated with COVID-19, e.g., asthma, diabetic complications, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), liver disorders and acute kidney injury (AKI). Topological analysis with betweenness centrality (BC) identified 290 hub-high traffic genes, central in both co-expression and PPI networks. We also identified several transcriptional regulatory factors, including NFKB1, HIF1A, AHR, and TP53, with important immunoregulatory roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, several hub-high traffic genes, including IL6, IL1B, IL10, TNF, SOCS1, SOCS3, ICAM1, PTEN, RHOA, GDI2, SUMO1, CASP1, IRAK3, HSPA5, ADRB2, PRF1, GZMB, OASL, CCL5, HSP90AA1, HSPD1, IFNG, MAPK1, RAB5A, and TNFRSF1A had the highest rates of information transfer in 9 candidate modules and central roles in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis. Conclusion This study provides comprehensive information on molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-host interactions and identifies several hub-high traffic genes as promising therapeutic targets for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliakbar Hasankhani
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Bahrami
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
- Biomedical Center for Systems Biology Science Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Negin Sheybani
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behzad Aria
- Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
| | - Behzad Hemati
- Biotechnology Research Center, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Farhang Fatehi
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Ghazaleh Javanmard
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahsa Rezaee
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - John P. Kastelic
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Herman W. Barkema
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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11
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Zemlin C, Stuhlert C, Schleicher JT, Wörmann C, Altmayer L, Lang M, Scherer LS, Thul IC, Müller C, Kaiser E, Stutz R, Goedicke-Fritz S, Ketter L, Zemlin M, Wagenpfeil G, Steffgen G, Solomayer EF. Longitudinal Assessment of Physical Activity, Fitness, Body Composition, Immunological Biomarkers, and Psychological Parameters During the First Year After Diagnosis in Women With Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer: The BEGYN Study Protocol. Front Oncol 2021; 11:762709. [PMID: 34737966 PMCID: PMC8560964 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.762709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Moderate physical activity is associated with an improved prognosis and psychosocial outcome in breast cancer patients. Although exercise and physical activity are associated with multiple physiological and psychological effects, many of the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. The BEGYN study (Influence of physical activity in breast cancer patients on physiological and psychological parameters and on biomarkers) aims at identifying potential associations between the extent of physical activity, fitness, body composition, immunological biomarkers, psycho-emotional parameters, and the course of treatment during the first year after diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods The prospective observational BEGYN study will include 110 non-metastatic breast cancer patients. The patients will be assessed during a base line visit prior to the initiation of the antineoplastic therapy and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The physical activity will be measured using a fitness tracker and a self-assessment diary during the entire study. Each visit will include the assessment of (i) cardiorespiratory fitness measured by spiroergometry, (ii) body composition, (iii) psycho-emotional parameters (quality of life, mental health, fatigue, depression, distress, anxiety, well-being), and (iv) extensive blood tests including routine laboratory, vitamin D, selenium and immunologically relevant biomarkers (e.g., leukocyte subpopulations and cytokine profiles). Discussion Whereas most studies investigating the influence of physical activity in breast cancer patients focus on specific activities for three months or less, the BEGYN study will quantify the daily physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness of breast cancer patients based on objective measurements in the context of the oncological therapy for 12 months after diagnosis. The study will reveal potential associations between exercise, immune status and physical as well as psycho-emotional outcome and the clinical course of the disease. Moreover, complementary therapies such as Vit D and Selenium supplementation and parameters investigating the motivation of the patients are part of the study. Due to this holistic approach, the BEGYN study will guide towards confirmatory studies on the role of physical activity in breast cancer patients to develop individualized counselling regarding the recommended type and extent of exercise. Trial Registration This study has been registered at the German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00024829.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Zemlin
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Stuhlert
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Julia Theresa Schleicher
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Wörmann
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Laura Altmayer
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Marina Lang
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Laura-Sophie Scherer
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ida Clara Thul
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Müller
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kaiser
- Department for General Pediatrics, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Regine Stutz
- Department for General Pediatrics, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Laura Ketter
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Health and Behaviour, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Michael Zemlin
- Department for General Pediatrics, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Gudrun Wagenpfeil
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics (IMBEI), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Georges Steffgen
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Health and Behaviour, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Erich-Franz Solomayer
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
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12
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Martín-Fernández M, Aller R, Heredia-Rodríguez M, Gómez-Sánchez E, Martínez-Paz P, Gonzalo-Benito H, Sánchez-de Prada L, Gorgojo Ó, Carnicero-Frutos I, Tamayo E, Tamayo-Velasco Á. Lipid peroxidation as a hallmark of severity in COVID-19 patients. Redox Biol 2021; 48:102181. [PMID: 34768063 PMCID: PMC8572041 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress may be a key player in COVID-19 pathogenesis due to its significant role in response to infections. A defective redox balance has been related to viral pathogenesis developing a massive induction of cell death provoked by oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to perform a complete oxidative stress profile evaluation regarding antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity and oxidative cell damage in order to characterize its role in diagnosis and severity of this disease. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from 108 COVID-19 patients and 28 controls and metabolites representative of oxidative stress were assessed. The association between lipid peroxidation and 28-day intubation/death risk was evaluated by multivariable regression analysis. Probability of intubation/death to day-28 was analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier curves and tested with the log-rank test. RESULTS Antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase) and oxidative cell damage (Carbonyl and Lipid peroxidation (LPO)) levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients while total antioxidant capacity (ABTS and FRAP) levels were lower in these patients. The comparison of oxidative stress molecules' levels across COVID-19 severity revealed that only LPO was statistically different between mild and intubated/death COVID-19 patients. COX multivariate regression analysis identified LPO levels over the OOP (LPO>1948.17 μM) as an independent risk factor for 28-day intubation/death in COVID-19 patients [OR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.10-5.99; p = 0.029]. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that COVID-19 patients showing LPO levels above 1948.17 μM were intubated or died 8.4 days earlier on average (mean survival time 15.4 vs 23.8 days) when assessing 28-day intubation/death risk (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION These findings deepen our knowledge of oxidative stress status in SARS-CoV-2 infection, supporting its important role in COVID-19. In fact, higher lipid peroxidation levels are independently associated to a higher risk of intubation or death at 28 days in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Martín-Fernández
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Dermatology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Rocío Aller
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Dermatology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - María Heredia-Rodríguez
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Esther Gómez-Sánchez
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Pedro Martínez-Paz
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Hugo Gonzalo-Benito
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Institute of Health Sciences of Castile and Leon (IECSCYL), 42002 Soria, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-de Prada
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Óscar Gorgojo
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Institute of Health Sciences of Castile and Leon (IECSCYL), 42002 Soria, Spain
| | - Irene Carnicero-Frutos
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Institute of Health Sciences of Castile and Leon (IECSCYL), 42002 Soria, Spain
| | - Eduardo Tamayo
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Tamayo-Velasco
- BioCritic. Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Haematology and Hemotherapy Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
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13
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Hofstätter N, Hofer S, Duschl A, Himly M. Children's Privilege in COVID-19: The Protective Role of the Juvenile Lung Morphometry and Ventilatory Pattern on Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Transmission to Respiratory Epithelial Barriers and Disease Severity. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1414. [PMID: 34680531 PMCID: PMC8533273 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of severe COVID-19 in children is low, and underlying mechanisms for lower SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and self-limiting disease severity are poorly understood. Severe clinical manifestations in adults require SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in the lower respiratory tract, establishing a pulmonary disease phase. This may be either accomplished by direct inoculation of the thoracic region upon exposure to virion-laden aerosols, or by infection of the upper respiratory system and aspiration of virion-laden aerosols originating right there into the lower respiratory tract. The particularities of epithelial barriers as the anatomical site of first viral deposition specifically determine the initial characteristics of an innate immune response, emerging respiratory tissue damage and dysfunctionality, and hence, severity of clinical symptoms. We, thus, investigated by in silico modeling whether the combined effect of juvenile lung morphometry, children's ventilatory pattern and the peculiarities of the virion-laden aerosols' properties, render children more resilient to aerosol deposition in the lower respiratory tract. Our study presents evidence for major age-dependent differences of the regional virion-laden aerosol deposition. We identified deposition hotspots in the alveolar-interstitial region of the young adult. Our data reveal that children are void of corresponding hotspots. The inoculum quantum in the alveolar-interstitial region hotspots is found to be considerably related to age. Our results suggest that children are intrinsically protected against SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in the lower respiratory tract, which may help to explain the lower risk of severe clinical manifestations associated with a pulmonary phase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martin Himly
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS), 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (N.H.); (S.H.); (A.D.)
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