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Characterization of METRNβ as a novel biomarker of Coronavirus disease 2019 severity and prognosis
Xun Gao1,2, Paul Kay-Sheung Chan3,4, Katie Ching-Yau Wong2
1Center of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Insights
Meteorin beta (METRNβ) is a novel biomarker that can predict COVID-19 severity. Higher METRNβ levels correlate with increased mortality and pro-inflammatory cytokines, aiding in patient triage.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents challenges due to viral mutations, complex pathophysiology, and varied immune responses.
- Effective biomarkers for predicting COVID-19 prognosis and patient outcomes are currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of Meteorin beta (METRNβ) as a predictive biomarker for COVID-19 severity.
- To analyze the correlation between METRNβ levels, cytokine profiles, and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from COVID-19 patients (non-Omicron and Omicron variants) and healthy controls were analyzed for METRNβ levels.
- Longitudinal cytokine/chemokine analysis was performed, alongside correlation analyses with laboratory parameters and disease severity.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were employed to assess METRNβ's predictive value.
Main Results:
- METRNβ levels were significantly elevated in non-Omicron COVID-19 patients compared to controls, with higher levels in non-survivors.
- METRNβ showed a positive correlation with viral load and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6), and an inverse correlation with sCD40L.
- A baseline METRNβ level of 1886.89 pg/ml demonstrated an AUC of 0.830 in distinguishing COVID-19 patients from non-infected individuals.
Conclusions:
- METRNβ serves as a valuable biomarker for predicting COVID-19 severity and mortality.
- These findings support the potential use of METRNβ in guiding therapeutic strategies and patient triage for COVID-19.
Introduction:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing worldwide, with complications due to frequent viral mutations, an intricate pathophysiology, and variable host immune responses. Biomarkers with predictive and prognostic value are crucial but lacking.
Methods:
Serum samples from authentic and D614G variant (non-Omicron), and Omicron-SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were collected for METRNβ detection and longitudinal cytokine/chemokine analysis. Correlation analyses were performed to compare the relationships between serum METRNβ levels and cytokines/chemokines, laboratory parameters, and disease severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of METRNβ in COVID-19.
Results:
The serum level of METRNβ was highly elevated in non-Omicron-SARS-CoV-2 infected patients compared to healthy individuals, and the non-survivor displayed higher METRNβ levels than survivors among the critical ones. METRNβ concentration showed positive correlation with viral load in NAPS. ROC curve showed that a baseline METRNβ level of 1886.89 pg/ml distinguished COVID-19 patients from non-infected individuals with an AUC of 0.830. Longitudinal analysis of cytokine/chemokine profiles revealed a positive correlation between METRNβ and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL6, and an inverse correlation with soluble CD40L (sCD40L). Higher METRNβ was associated with increased mortality. These findings were validated in a second and third cohort of COVID-19 patients identified in a subsequent wave.
Discussion:
Our study uncovered the precise role of METRNβ in predicting the severity of COVID-19, thus providing a scientific basis for further evaluation of the role of METRNβ in triage therapeutic strategies.
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