Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2025
Detection and Quantification of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide CGRP in Human Plasma Using a Modified Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: June 16, 2023
Chromogranin A plasma levels predict mortality in COVID-19
Rebecca De Lorenzo1,2, Clara Sciorati1, Giuseppe A Ramirez1,2
1Division of Immunology, Transplantation & Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Chromogranin A (CgA) levels are elevated in COVID-19 patients and predict mortality. Higher CgA plasma concentrations indicate increased risk of in-hospital death, serving as an early warning sign.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Chromogranin A (CgA) and vasostatin I (VS-I) are secreted by neuroendocrine cells and modulate stress responses.
- The role of CgA and VS-I in Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) has not been previously explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma CgA and VS-I levels and COVID-19 outcomes.
- To determine if CgA and VS-I can predict in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma CgA and VS-I concentrations were measured in 190 COVID-19 patients and 40 healthy controls.
- Statistical analyses included Mann Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, Cox regression, and Kaplan Meier survival curves.
- The relationship between CgA/VS-I levels and patient demographics, comorbidities, disease severity, and mortality was assessed.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly higher median plasma CgA and VS-I levels compared to healthy controls.
- Elevated CgA levels, but not VS-I, were significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors.
- CgA levels independently predicted in-hospital mortality, even after adjusting for clinical factors.
Conclusions:
- Plasma CgA levels are increased in patients with COVID-19.
- Elevated CgA serves as an early and independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Background:
Chromogranin A (CgA) and its fragment vasostatin I (VS-I) are secreted in the blood by endocrine/neuroendocrine cells and regulate stress responses. Their involvement in Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) has not been investigated.
Methods:
CgA and VS-I plasma concentrations were measured at hospital admission from March to May 2020 in 190 patients. 40 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. CgA and VS-I levels relationship with demographics, comorbidities and disease severity was assessed through Mann Whitney U test or Spearman correlation test. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan Meier survival curves were performed to investigate the impact of the CgA and VS-I levels on in-hospital mortality.
Results:
Median CgA and VS-I levels were higher in patients than in healthy controls (CgA: 0.558 nM [interquartile range, IQR 0.358-1.046] vs 0.368 nM [IQR 0.288-0.490] respectively, p = 0.0017; VS-I: 0.357 nM [IQR 0.196-0.465] vs 0.144 nM [0.144-0.156] respectively, p<0.0001). Concentration of CgA, but not of VS-I, significantly increased in patients who died (n = 47) than in survivors (n = 143) (median 0.948 nM [IQR 0.514-1.754] vs 0.507 nM [IQR 0.343-0.785], p = 0.00026). Levels of CgA were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio 1.28 [95% confidence interval 1.077-1.522], p = 0.005) when adjusted for age, number of comorbidities, respiratory insufficiency degree, C-reactive protein levels and time from symptom onset to sampling. Kaplan Meier curves revealed a significantly increased mortality rate in patients with CgA levels above 0.558 nM (median value, log rank test, p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
Plasma CgA levels increase in COVID-19 patients and represent an early independent predictor of mortality.
More Related Videos
08:12Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
07:47Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies
Published on: September 15, 2023
