The assessment of the serum levels of TWEAK and prostaglandin F2∝ in COVID - 19

Authors: DEMET YALÇIN KEHRİBAR, MUSTAFA CİHANGİROĞLU, EMİNE SEHMEN, BAHATTİN AVCI, MUSTAFA ÇAPRAZ, MARUF BORAN, CANER GÜNAYDIN, METİN ÖZGEN

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 volunteers. Lung involvement was determined using computed-tomography. Serum TWEAK, LTE4, and prostaglandin F2∝ (PGF2∝) levels were determined. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2∝ 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 PGF2∝ 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.

Keywords: COVID-19, TWEAK, leukotrienes, inflammation, prostaglandin

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