Cytokine and chemokine profiles in the sera of COVID-19 patients with different stages of severity

Maryam Bourhis ¹, Abderrazak Idir ², Safa Machraoui ³

¹Team of Experimental Oncology and Natural Substances, Cellular and Molecular Immunopharmacology, Laboratory of Agro-industrial and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, BeniMellal, Morocco.
²Science and Technology Team, Higher School of Education and Training, Chouaîb Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco.
³Laboratory of Immunology, Center of Clinical Research, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
⁴Department of Intensive Care, Mohamed VI University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
⁵Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Ibn Tofail Hospital, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
⁶Laboratory of Medical Analysis, IbnTofail Hospital, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
⁷Internal Medicine Department, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
⁸Team of Virology, Oncology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, Oncology, Biosciences, Environment and New Energies, Faculty of Sciences & Technologies Mohammedia, University Hassan II of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.

⁰Team of Experimental Oncology and Natural Substances, Cellular and Molecular Immunopharmacology, Laboratory of Agro-industrial and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, BeniMellal, Morocco.

Cytokine +

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May 23, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

COVID-19 severity is linked to cytokine storm. This study found specific cytokine and chemokine levels correlate with disease progression, offering insights into COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Area Of Science

Immunology
Virology
Biochemistry

Background

COVID-19 infection triggers an immune response, potentially leading to a cytokine storm.
Cytokine storms involve excessive cytokine production, exacerbating disease severity.

Purpose Of The Study

To assess serum levels of 27 protein biomarkers.
To determine the association between these biomarkers and COVID-19 disease severity.

Main Methods

Serum samples from 89 COVID-19 patients (asymptomatic to critical) and 14 healthy controls were analyzed.
A panel of 27 cytokines and chemokines was measured using Luminex assay.

Main Results

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-2, IL-13, IL-17, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were undetectable in asymptomatic patients.
Elevated IL-6, IL-10, MIP-1α, MCP-1, and IP10 levels correlated with increased COVID-19 severity.
IL-8 levels were higher in asymptomatic individuals compared to other groups, while IL-4 decreased with severity.

Conclusions

Excessive cytokine and chemokine synthesis is strongly associated with COVID-19 disease progression.
Specific biomarkers can indicate disease severity and inform understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Keywords:

COVID-19 Chemokine Cytokine Cytokine storm Disease severity SARS-CoV-2