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Published on: October 12, 2017
The Role of High-Density Lipoprotein in COVID-19
Guyi Wang1, Jiayi Deng1, Jinxiu Li1
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Insights
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are significantly decreased in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), correlating with disease severity. This review explores HDL's functions and potential therapeutic roles in managing COVID-19 complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents significant challenges in managing severe cases, characterized by immune dysregulation and coagulation abnormalities.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) possesses multiple protective functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-thrombotic effects.
- Reduced HDL levels in COVID-19 patients are linked to increased disease severity and mortality, yet its precise role remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiological features of COVID-19.
- To examine the multifaceted properties of HDL.
- To elucidate the role and clinical significance of HDL in COVID-19 and explore HDL-targeting therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of current evidence.
- Examination of COVID-19 pathophysiology.
- Assessment of HDL's biological functions and clinical data in COVID-19 patients.
Main Results:
- Severe COVID-19 involves immune dysregulation and coagulation issues, potentially leading to organ failure.
- HDL exhibits diverse protective functions, including neutralizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and regulating inflammation.
- Decreased HDL levels in COVID-19 patients correlate strongly with disease severity and mortality.
Conclusions:
- HDL plays a crucial role in mitigating COVID-19 pathogenesis through its pleiotropic effects.
- Understanding HDL's function in COVID-19 is vital for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
- HDL-targeting therapies hold promise for improving outcomes in severe COVID-19 cases.
Abstract:
The current Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global challenge. Managing a large number of acutely ill patients in a short time, whilst reducing the fatality rate and dealing with complications, brings unique difficulties. The most striking pathophysiological features of patients with severe COVID-19 are dysregulated immune responses and abnormal coagulation function, which can result in multiple-organ failure and death. Normally metabolized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) performs several functions, including reverse cholesterol transport, direct binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to neutralize LPS activity, regulation of inflammatory response, anti-thrombotic effects, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. Clinical data shows that significantly decreased HDL levels in patients with COVID-19 are correlated with both disease severity and mortality. However, the role of HDL in COVID-19 and its specific mechanism remain unclear. In this analysis, we review current evidence mainly in the following areas: firstly, the pathophysiological characteristics of COVID-19, secondly, the pleiotropic properties of HDL, thirdly, the changes and clinical significance of HDL in COVID-19, and fourthly the prospect of HDL-targeting therapy in COVID-19 to clarify the role of HDL in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and discuss the potential of HDL therapy in COVID-19.
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