Semaphorins have recently been recognized as crucial modulators of immune responses. In the pathogenesis of COVID-19, the activation of immune responses is the key factor in the development of severe disease. This study aimed to determine the association of serum semaphorin concentrations with COVID-19 severity and outcomes. Serum semaphorin concentrations (SEMA3A, -3C, -3F, -4D, -7A) were measured in 80 hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 (moderate (n = 24), severe (n = 32), critical, (n = 24)) and 40 healthy controls. While SEMA3C, SEMA3F and SEMA7A serum concentrations were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19, SEMA3A was significantly lower. Furthermore, SEMA3A and SEMA3C decreased with COVID-19 severity, while SEMA3F and SEMA7A increased. SEMA4D showed no correlation with disease severity. Serum semaphorin levels show better predictive values than CRP, IL-6 and LDH for differentiating critical from moderate/severe COVID-19. SEMA3F and SEMA7A serum concentrations were associated with the time to recovery, requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation, development of pulmonary thrombosis and nosocomial infections, as well as with in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that SEMA3A, SEMA3C, SEMA3F and SEMA7A can be considered as new biomarkers of COVID-19 severity.
Keywords: ARDS; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; SEMA3A; SEMA3C; SEMA3F; SEMA7A; biomarkers; semaphorins.