Chemerin plasma levels are increased in COVID-19 patients and are an independent risk factor of mortality

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.941663
• Publication Date: 2022-08-12T07:11:39Z
• Authors: Philomène Lavis; Sofia Morra; Carmen Orte Cano; Nurhan Albayrak; Véronique Corbière; Véronique Olislagers; Nicolas Dauby; Véronique Del Marmol; Arnaud Marchant; Christine Decaest...; Françoise Mascart; Nathalie De Vos; Philippe Van de B...; Isabelle Salmon; Myriam Remmelink; Marc Parmentier; Alessandra Kupper...; Benjamin Bondue
• Keywords: Chemerin; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Background Chemerin is an extracellular protein with chemotactic activities and its expression increased in various diseases such as metabolic syndrome inflammatory conditions. Its role lung pathology has not yet been extensively studied but both known pro- anti-inflammatory properties have observed. The aim of our study was to evaluate the involvement chemerin/ChemR23 system physiopathology COVID-19 a particular focus on prognostic value. Methods Blood samples from confirmed patients were collected at day 1, 5 14 admission Erasme Hospital (Brussels – Belgium). concentrations biomarkers analyzed plasma. cells subtypes their ChemR23 determined by flow cytometry. chemerin evaluated tissue autopsied immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results 21 healthy controls (HC) 88 patients, including 40 intensive care unit (ICU) included. Plasma concentration significantly higher ICU than HC all time-points (p<0.0001). Moreover, they deceased compared survivors (p<0.05). Logistic univariate regression multivariate analysis demonstrated that level independent risk factor for death. Accordingly, levels correlated C-reactive tumor necrosis α. Finally, IHC revealed strong smooth muscle myofibroblasts advanced acute respiratory distress (ARDS). Discussion Increased plasma are marker severity may predict death patients. However, multicentric studies needed, before can be considered biomarker used daily clinical practice. Further also necessary identify precise mechanisms ARDS secondary viral pneumonia.