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Elevated Levels of Soluble CD147 are Associated with Hyperinflammation and Disease Severity in COVID-19: A
Rashidi Springall1, Julieta González-Flores1, Carlos García-Ávila1
1Immunology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico, Mexico.
Insights
Soluble CD147 levels are elevated in COVID-19 patients, correlating with higher risks of hyperinflammation and severe disease outcomes. This finding suggests CD147
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- COVID-19 is characterized by a dysregulated immune response, including hyperinflammation.
- The role of specific biomarkers in predicting COVID-19 severity is an active area of research.
- Soluble CD147 (sCD147) is a transmembrane protein implicated in immune cell function and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate soluble CD147 levels in individuals with COVID-19 compared to healthy controls.
- To determine the association between sCD147 levels and markers of hyperinflammation and disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 109 COVID-19 patients and 72 healthy blood donors.
- Measurement of sCD147, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9), and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) upon hospital admission.
- Recording of clinical outcomes, including the need for mechanical ventilation and mortality.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher sCD147 levels were observed in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (P=0.003).
- Elevated levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 were also found in COVID-19 patients.
- sCD147 levels positively correlated with MMP-2, MMP-3, interleukin-6, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.
- Higher sCD147 levels were associated with increased need for mechanical ventilation (P<0.001) and mortality (P=0.009).
Conclusions:
- Soluble CD147 is elevated in COVID-19 patients.
- Increased sCD147 levels are linked to hyperinflammation and greater disease severity, including critical illness and death.
- sCD147 may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting COVID-19 severity and guiding therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
To evaluate soluble CD147 levels in COVID-19 and identify whether these are associated with hyperinflammation and disease severity. One-hundred and nine COVID-19 patients and 72 healthy blood donors were studied. Levels of CD147, matrix metalloproteases (MMP) and inflammatory markers were measured on hospital arrival, while the need for mechanical ventilation and the occurrence of death during hospitalization were recorded. CD147 levels were higher in COVID-19 (1.6, 1.0-2.3 vs 1.3, 1.0-1.6 ng/ml; P = 0.003) than controls. MMP-2 (9.2, 4.5-12.9 vs 4.2, 3.7-4.6 ng/ml; P < 0.001), MMP-3 (1.1, 0.9-1.3 vs 0.9, 0.7-1.0 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and MMP-9 (0.9, 0.5-1.2 vs 0.4, 0.2-0.6 ng/ml; P < 0.001) were also higher in COVID-19, while MMP-1 (0.6, 0-1.4 vs 0.6, 0.3-0.7 ng/ml; P = 0.711) was not different. Significant correlations were found between CD147 and MMP-2 (ρ = 0.34), MMP-3 (ρ = 0.21), interleukin 6 (ρ = 0.21), and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (ρ = 0.26). Furthermore, CD147 levels were higher in patients who required mechanical ventilation (1.8, 1.4-2.4 vs 1.2, 0.8-1.9 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and in those who ultimately died (1.9, 1.4-2.7 vs 1.4, 0.9-1.9 ng/ml; P = 0.009). CD147 is elevated in COVID-19 and appears to contribute to hyperinflammation and disease severity.
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