Elevated Expression of Serum Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecules in COVID-19 Patients

J Infect Dis. 2020 Aug 17;222(6):894-898. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa349.

Abstract

In a retrospective study of 39 COVID-19 patients and 32 control participants in China, we collected clinical data and examined the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum levels of fractalkine, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) were elevated in patients with mild disease, dramatically elevated in severe cases, and decreased in the convalescence phase. We conclude the increased expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules is related to COVID-19 disease severity and may contribute to coagulation dysfunction.

Keywords: COVID-19; D-dimer; coagulopathy; endothelial cell adhesion molecules; fractalkine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / blood*
  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / metabolism
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / virology
  • COVID-19
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / blood*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / blood*
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / metabolism
  • China
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / blood*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood*
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Chemokine CX3CL1
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • AOC3 protein, human
  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)