Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses
Published on: March 8, 2024
IL-6 is a predictor and potential therapeutic target for coronavirus disease 2019-related heart failure: A
1Department of General Practice, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 20065, China.
Insights
Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are significantly linked to heart failure (HF) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This finding highlights IL-6 as a key inflammatory marker in COVID-19-related HF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Inflammation plays a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related heart failure (HF), but underlying mechanisms require further elucidation.
- Specific inflammatory factors' association with COVID-19-related HF remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific inflammatory factors and the occurrence of heart failure in COVID-19 patients.
- To identify key inflammatory markers associated with COVID-19-related heart failure.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 212 adult COVID-19 patients hospitalized between March and May 2022.
- Comparison of inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), between patients with and without HF.
- Logistic regression analysis to determine associations between inflammatory factors and HF.
Main Results:
- Patients with COVID-19-related HF showed significant differences in sex, age, hs-CRP, PCT, and IL-6 levels compared to those without HF.
- Logistic regression revealed a significant positive association between IL-6 levels and HF (odds ratio = 1.055, p < 0.005).
- Older age, higher hs-CRP, and higher IL-6 levels were associated with an increased risk of HF.
Conclusions:
- Increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) are significantly associated with heart failure in patients with COVID-19.
- IL-6 may serve as a crucial inflammatory biomarker for predicting or understanding COVID-19-related heart failure.
Background:
Inflammation is linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related heart failure (HF), but the specific mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to assess the relationship between specific inflammatory factors, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-α, and IFN-γ, and COVID-19-related HF.
Methods:
We retrospectively identified 212 adult patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Shanghai Public Health Center from March 1 to May 30, 2022 (including 80 patients with HF and 132 without HF). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-α, and IFN-γ, were compared between patients with COVID-19 with and without HF.
Results:
Patients with COVID-19 having and not having HF differed with regard to sex, age, hs-CRP, PCT, and IL-6 levels (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant positive association between IL and 6 and HF (odds ratio = 1.055; 95 % confidence interval: 1.019-1.093, p < 0.005). Sex, age, and hs-CRP were also associated with HF. Women had a greater risk of HF than men. Older age, higher levels of hs-CRP, and IL-6 were associated with a greater risk of HF.
Conclusions:
In patients with COVID-19, increased IL-6 levels are significantly associated with COVID-19-related HF.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents