Evaluation of sCD163 as a prognostic biomarker for severity in hyperinflammatory COVID-19 patients

Author(s)

Marlon Fortes Rocha

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2023-03-10

Examining board members

Larissa Dias da Cunha; José Luiz Proença Modena; Carlos Arterio Sorgi

• Advisor: Larissa Dias da Cunha

Abstract

Severe COVID-19 is a multifactorial manifestation, often caused by a dysfunctional immune response that can be associated with hyperinflammation. Excessive monocyte/macrophage activation that occurs during COVID-19 immunopathology and contributes to the hyperinflammation associated with morbidity and mortality in severe patients. As COVID-19 severity can be due to different reasons, identifying the primary cause associated with the clinical worsening can guide the best therapeutic approaches. sCD163 is a potential macrophage activation biomarker associated with the severe evolution of hyperinflammatory syndromes, including the ones related to viral infections. Based on these evidences, we evaluated if sCD163 is a potential biomarker associated with COVID-19 severity. For this evaluation, serum sCD163 was quantified through ELISA in samples collected on the hospital admission day from 181 COVID-19 patients. First, we stratified patients based on clinical prognosis (severity, mechanical ventilation, survivor and hyperinflammation). We observed an increase in sCD163 serum levels in patients with worse prognosis, especially the hyperinflammatory patients. We found that sCD163 positively correlates with IL-6 and IL-18 levels in hyperinflammatory patients. Importantly, the median of sCD163 levels were significantly higher in hyperinflammatory patients that deceased when compared to hyperinflammatory patients that were discharged. However, the sCD163 serum levels at hospital admission did not predict responsiveness to colchicine treatment, but it might indicate the IL-18 reduction after colchicine treatment. Thus, sCD163 is a potential prognostic biomarker associated with worse prognosis in COVID-19 and might discriminate hyperinflammatory patients at higher risk of mortality. In addition to that, sCD163 might indicate IL-18 reduction by colchicine treatment in COVID-19 patients. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/13120-8 - Characterization and evaluation of sCD163 potential as severity biomarker in SARS-CoV-2 infection
• Grantee: Marlon Fortes Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master