Next generation plasma proteome profiling of COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms

Abstract

COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths globally, yet the cellular mechanisms underlying the various effects of the disease remain poorly understood. Recently, a new analytical platform for comprehensive analysis of plasma protein profiles using proximity extension assays combined with next generation sequencing has been developed. Here, we describe the analysis of the plasma profiles of COVID-19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms by comparing the protein levels in newly diagnosed patients with the plasma profiles in the same individuals after recovery 14 days later. The study has identified more than 200 proteins that are significantly elevated at infection and many of these are related to cytokine response and other immune-related functions. In addition, several other proteins are shown to be elevated, including SCARB2, a host cell receptor protein involved in virus entry. A comparison with the plasma protein response in patients with severe symptoms shows a highly similar pattern, but with some interesting differences. In conclusion, the results will facilitate further studies to understand the molecular mechanism of the immune-related response of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Advances and Utility of the Human Plasma Proteome

“…93 Using the same assays, a study from Zhong et al analyzed plasma from patients with mild to moderate symptoms and highlighted, among many cytokines and immune-related proteins, elevated plasma levels of the membrane-bound receptors SCARB2 and SIGLEC1. 104 Su et al chose a multiomics approaches where circulating proteins and other types of molecular data obtained from blood samples were used to phenotype different levels of COVID-19 severity. 105 Zhou et al used SomaScan data and Mendelian randomization to find that elevated levels of the circulating Neanderthal OAS1 isoform were protective against COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.…”