Elevated Plasma Soluble C-Type Lectin-like Receptor 2 Is Associated with the Worsening of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Area of Science:

• * Hematology
• * Infectious Diseases
• * Immunology

Background:

• * Thrombosis is a recognized complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
• * Platelet activation plays a crucial role in thrombotic events, and its specific involvement in COVID-19 pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
• * Soluble C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (sCLEC-2) is a marker associated with platelet activation.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the relationship between platelet activation, indicated by plasma sCLEC-2 levels, and the severity of COVID-19 infection.
• * To compare platelet activation markers in COVID-19 patients with those in patients suffering from other infections.

Main Methods:

• * Plasma sCLEC-2 levels were measured in 46 patients with COVID-19 and 127 patients with other infections.
• * Statistical analyses were performed to compare sCLEC-2 levels across different infection groups and severity strata.
• * The ratio of sCLEC-2 levels to platelet counts was analyzed in relation to COVID-19 severity.

Main Results:

• * COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly higher plasma sCLEC-2 levels compared to patients with other infections (p < 0.001).
• * Plasma sCLEC-2 levels were significantly elevated in severe and critical COVID-19 cases compared to mild cases (p < 0.01).
• * The sCLEC-2 to platelet ratio was significantly higher in critical COVID-19 patients compared to mild, moderate, and severe cases (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• * Plasma sCLEC-2 levels are significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in those with other infections.
• * Elevated sCLEC-2 levels in COVID-19 correlate with disease severity, suggesting enhanced platelet activation.
• * COVID-19 infection appears to trigger and facilitate platelet activation, potentially contributing to thrombotic complications.