The role of mast cells and their proteases in lung damage associated with COVID-19

The new coronavirus infection COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2, has posed scientific and public health challenges. problem of treating still remains, the pathogenesis needs to be studied in detail, including involvement mast cells (MCs) their specific proteases. aim this study was characterize role cell proteases chymase, tryptase, carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3) lung damage associated with COVID-19. Methods. included postmortem biopsies from 30 patients who died severe COVID-19, 9 control group patients. Histological preparations were made protease profile degranulation activity MCs analyzed. In addition, some demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters Results. average number tryptase-positive without evidence total CPA3-positive statistically significantly higher fragments lower compared controls. Negative correlations established between numbers red blood count. found non-granulating hemoglobin levels. Positive noted leukocytes eosinophils counts, negative platelet A positive correlation adjoining MCs, as well erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). also observed non-degranulated level C-reactive protein. reduced along increased representation CPA3positive MCs. Several trends associations test results noted. potential development anemia thrombocytopenia is considered. Associations peripheral counts eosinophils, ESR. Conclusion. obtained are highly contradictory. Since many aspects unknown, studies larger cohorts needed.