Altered high-density lipoprotein composition and functions during severe COVID-19

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 27;11(1):2291. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81638-1.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting millions of patients worldwide. The consequences of initial exposure to SARS-CoV-2 go beyond pulmonary damage, with a particular impact on lipid metabolism. Decreased levels in HDL-C were reported in COVID-19 patients. Since HDL particles display antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potential anti-infectious properties, we aimed at characterizing HDL proteome and functionality during COVID-19 relative to healthy subjects. HDLs were isolated from plasma of 8 severe COVID-19 patients sampled at admission to intensive care unit (Day 1, D1) at D3 and D7, and from 16 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. Proteomic analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS. The relative amounts of proteins identified in HDLs were compared between COVID-19 and controls. apolipoprotein A-I and paraoxonase 1 were confirmed by Western-blot analysis to be less abundant in COVID-19 versus controls, whereas serum amyloid A and alpha-1 antitrypsin were higher. HDLs from patients were less protective in endothelial cells stiumalted by TNFα (permeability, VE-cadherin disorganization and apoptosis). In these conditions, HDL inhibition of apoptosis was blunted in COVID-19 relative to controls. In conclusion, we show major changes in HDL proteome and decreased functionality in severe COVID-19 patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apolipoprotein A-I / blood
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase / analysis
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase / blood
  • COVID-19 / blood*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / pathology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin / blood

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Proteome
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase