Elevated plasma sTIM-3 levels in patients with severe COVID-19

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still incompletely understood, but it seems to involve immune activation and dysregulation.ObjectiveWe examined the parameters different leukocyte subsets in COVID-19–infected patients relation severity.MethodsWe analyzed plasma levels myeloperoxidase (a marker neutrophil activation), soluble (s) CD25 (sCD25) T-cell immunoglobulin mucin domain-3 (sTIM-3) (markers exhaustion), sCD14 sCD163 monocyte/macrophage activation) 39 at hospital admission 2 additional times during first 10 days their need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment.ResultsOur major findings were as follows: (1) severe clinical outcome (ICU treatment) was associated with high sTIM-3 myeloperoxidase, suggesting activated potentially exhausted T cells neutrophils, respectively; (2) contrast, showed no association ICU treatment; (3) sCD25, sTIM-3, inversely correlated degree respiratory failure, assessed by ratio Pao2 fraction inspired oxygen, positively cardiac N-terminal pro-B–type natriuretic peptide.ConclusionOur suggest that and, particular, may play an important role COVID-19 infection, T-cell–targeted treatment options downregulation could be importance this disorder. The dysregulation. We severity. treatment. Our peptide.