Periodontitis-Derived Dark-NETs in Severe Covid-19

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Oral Health

Background:

• Severe COVID-19 is linked to periodontitis, suggesting shared etiological factors.
• Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are critical in severe COVID-19 pathogenesis.
• Periodontitis involves elevated circulating NETs, increased NET formation, and low-grade endotoxemia (LGE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of periodontitis-associated factors in severe COVID-19.
• To identify neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as a common pathogenic mechanism.
• To discuss strategies for managing periodontitis-derived NETs in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on COVID-19, periodontitis, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).
• Analysis of the interaction between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from periodontitis and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
• Discussion of the impact of low-grade endotoxemia (LGE) on immune response and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility.

Main Results:

• Circulating NET formation is a shared pathway in COVID-19 and periodontitis.
• LPS binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein potentiates NET formation.
• Periodontitis, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases increase severe COVID-19 risk due to LGE and NETs.

Conclusions:

• Increased NET formation propensity, DNase I deficiency, and LGE in periodontitis aggravate severe COVID-19.
• Targeting periodontitis-derived NETs may be a therapeutic strategy for COVID-19 comorbidity.
• Understanding the interplay between periodontitis and COVID-19 is crucial for managing severe disease courses.