Proteomics of serum-derived extracellular vesicles are associated with the severity and different clinical profiles of patients with COVID-19: An exploratory secondary analysis

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Leme, Adriana F. Paes ; Yokoo, Sami ; Normando, Ana Gabriela C. ; Ormonde, Jao Vitor S. ; Domingues, Romenia Ramos ; Cruz, Fernanda F. ; Silva, Pedro L. ; Souza, Bruno S. F. ; Santos, Claudia C. dos ; Castro-Faria-Neto, Hugo ; Martins, Camila Marinelli ; Lopes-Pacheco, Miqueias ; Rocco, Patricia R. M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CYTOTHERAPY; v. 26, n. 5, p. 12-pg., 2024-04-30.

Abstract

Background aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations with the potential to progress to multiple organ dysfunction in severe cases. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry a range of biological cargoes, which may be used as biomarkers of disease state. Methods: An exploratory secondary analysis of the SARITA-2 and SARITA-1 datasets (randomized clinical trials on patients with mild and moderate/severe COVID-19) was performed. Serum-derived EVs were used for proteomic analysis to identify enriched biological processes and key proteins, thus providing insights into differences in disease severity. Serum-derived EVs were separated from patients with COVID-19 by size exclusion chromatography and nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to determine particle concentration and diameter. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to identify and quantify protein signatures. Bioinformatics and multivariate statistical analysis were applied to distinguish candidate proteins associated with disease severity (mild versus moderate/severe COVID-19). Results: No differences were observed in terms of the concentration and diameter of enriched EVs between mild (n = 14) and moderate/severe (n = 30) COVID-19. A total of 414 proteins were found to be present in EVs, of which 360 were shared while 48 were uniquely present in severe/moderate compared to mild COVID-19. The main biological signatures in moderate/severe COVID-19 were associated with platelet degranulation, exocytosis, complement activation, immune effector activation, and humoral immune response. Von Willebrand factor, serum amyloid A-2 protein, histone H4 and H2A type 2-C, and fibrinogen b -chain were the most differentially expressed proteins between severity groups. Conclusion: Exploratory proteomic analysis of serum-derived EVs from patients with COVID-19 detected key proteins related to immune response and activation of coagulation and complement pathways, which are associated with disease severity. Our data suggest that EV proteins may be relevant biomarkers of disease state and prognosis. (c) 2024 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/09692-9 - Validation of target proteins associated with the progression of potentially malignant disorders into Oral Cancer
• Grantee: Ana Gabriela Costa Normando
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/11709-4 - Combining omics strategies can indicate potential targets involved in the Oral Cancer initiation through extracellular vesicle communication
• Grantee: João Vitor Silva Ormonde
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 09/54067-3 - Acquisition of a mass spectrometer coupled to a liquid chromatography system for increasing the capacity to meet the needs of users and for making new technologies available in the Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry
• Grantee: Adriana Franco Paes Leme
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 18/18496-6 - The role of alcohol treated-extracellular vesicles in oral cells transformation
• Grantee: Adriana Franco Paes Leme
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants