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Heparin-binding protein levels correlate with aggravation and multiorgan damage in severe COVID-19
Mingshan Xue1,2, Yifeng Zeng1,2, Hui-Qi Qu3,2
1State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Insights
Heparin-binding protein (HBP) levels increase in critically ill COVID-19 patients as their condition worsens. Elevated HBP may predict disease progression and organ injury, suggesting its potential as a biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Immunology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Critically ill COVID-19 patients often experience persistent inflammation and multi-organ failure, leading to poor outcomes.
- Understanding novel inflammatory markers is crucial for managing severe COVID-19.
- Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is an inflammatory factor with potential relevance in critical illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of heparin-binding protein (HBP) in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- To determine the correlation between HBP levels and COVID-19 disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Studied 18 critically ill COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure and sepsis.
- Compared HBP levels with 15 COVID-19-negative patients with respiratory failure.
- Collected clinical data and measured HBP levels.
Main Results:
- HBP levels were significantly elevated in critically ill COVID-19 patients with disease aggravation.
- Increased HBP levels correlated with disease progression and preceded clinical deterioration by up to 5 days.
- HBP levels showed a strong correlation with pulmonary ventilation and perfusion status.
Conclusions:
- HBP levels are associated with disease progression in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- HBP may act as a mediator of disease aggravation and organ injury.
- HBP warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for severe COVID-19.
Background:
Critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may suffer persistent systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure, leading to a poor prognosis.
Research Question:
To examine the relevance of the novel inflammatory factor heparin-binding protein (HBP) in critically ill COVID-19 patients, and evaluate the correlation of the biomarker with disease progression.
Study Design And Methods:
18 critically ill COVID-19 patients who suffered from respiratory failure and sepsis, including 12 cases who experienced a rapidly deteriorating clinical condition and six cases without deterioration, were investigated. They were compared with 15 age- and sex- matched COVID-19-negative patients with respiratory failure. Clinical data were collected and HBP levels were investigated.
Results:
HBP was significantly increased in critically ill COVID-19 patients following disease aggravation and tracked with disease progression. HBP elevation preceded the clinical manifestations for up to 5 days and was closely correlated with patients' pulmonary ventilation and perfusion status.
Interpretation:
HBP levels are associated with COVID-19 disease progression in critically ill patients. As a potential mediator of disease aggravation and multiple organ injuries that are triggered by continuing inflammation and oxygen deficits, HBP warrants further study as a disease biomarker and potential therapeutic target.
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