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Cytokine profile and disease severity in patients with COVID-19

Ali Ghazavi1, Ali Ganji2, Nafiseh Keshavarzian3

  • 1Department of Immunology & Microbiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran; Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran; Infectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.

Cytokine
|October 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study found elevated serum levels of certain cytokines, including interferon-gamma and interleukin-17, in COVID-19 patients. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) levels predicted disease severity in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cytokine dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • Understanding the specific cytokine profiles in COVID-19 patients is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms and identifying potential biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate serum levels of key cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8, IL-9, IL-17, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To compare cytokine levels between COVID-19 patients and healthy controls, and between mild and severe COVID-19 cases.
  • To investigate correlations between specific cytokines and disease severity.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples were collected from 63 adult COVID-19 patients (33 mild, 30 severe) and 33 age/gender-matched healthy controls.
  • Cytokine levels were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
  • Statistical analysis, including one-way ANOVA, was employed to compare groups and assess correlations.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly higher mean serum levels of IFN-γ, TGF-β, IL-17, and IL-8 compared to controls.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) levels were significantly different between mild and severe COVID-19 groups, indicating its role in severity.
  • Serum IL-5 and IL-9 levels did not differ significantly between COVID-19 patients and controls.
  • Systemic IL-17 levels showed a significant positive correlation with TGF-β in COVID-19 patients.
  • Elevated concentrations of Th1 (IFN-γ), Treg (TGF-β), and Th17 (IL-17) cytokines were observed in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

  • Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17, along with TGF-β, are characteristic of COVID-19.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) shows potential as a predictive biomarker for COVID-19 disease severity.
  • Further research into cytokine-mediated inflammation in COVID-19 is warranted.

Keywords:
COVID-19CytokinesDisease severity

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