The assessment of the serum levels of TWEAK and prostaglandin F2α in COVID – 19

Abstract

Background/aim: It is claimed that aberrant immune response has a more important role than the cytopathic effect of the virus in the morbidity and mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate the possible roles of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) / Fn14 pathway and leukotrienes (LT) in uncontrolled immune response that occurs in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Materials and methods: This study included 25 asymptomatic patients and 35 patients with lung involvement who were diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as 22 healthy volunteer. Lung involvement was determined using computed-tomography. Serum TWEAK, LTE4, and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels were determined. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2α levels were higher in the group of SARS-CoV-2 infection without lung involvement. In the group of SARS-CoV-2 infection with lung involvement, age, fibrinogen, sedimentation, C-reactive protein and ferritin, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2α levels were higher, and lymphocyte levels were lower compared with the asymptomatic group. Conclusions: In the study, TWEAK and LTE4 levels increased in cases with COVID-19. These results support that TWEAK / Fn14 pathway and LT may involved in the pathology of aberrant immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Inhibition of each of these pathways may be a potential target in the treatment of COVID-19.

Assessment of serum TWEAK levels in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

“…Another possibility is the presence of minimal inflammation in FMF even during the attack-free period. According to the results of the study conducted by Kehribar et al [20], the detection of high serum TWEAK levels despite normal ESR and CRP values in patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection supports our view.…”

“…The main source of soluble TWEAK in inflammatory tissue is macrophages / monocytes [15]. These data show that the TWEAK / Fn14 pathway makes significant contributions to inflammation in tissues and indicates that excessive or persistent upregulation of this pathway contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of some rheumatic inflammatory and infective diseases [16][17][18][19][20].…”

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Associated With Higher Levels of Serum IL-17C, Matrix Metalloproteinase 10 and Fibroblast Growth Factors Than Mild Symptomatic COVID-19

“…TWEAK was also downregulated after infection in our study ( Figures 2A , 3B ). However, it has been previously found elevated in SARS-CoV-2 patients ( 81 ), but decreased levels were found in patients infected with HIV ( 82 ).…”

COVID-19 and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs

“…У ковідних пацієнтів спостерігається і більш високий рівень плазматичної концентрації PgE2, але цей рівень не корелює з тяжкістю перебігу COVID-19 [7]. І рівень PgF2a також вищий порівняно зі здоровими [8].…”