Complement Activation in the Disease Course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Its Effects on Clinical Outcomes
Aline de Nooijer, Inge Grondman, Nico Janssen, Mihai G. Netea, Loek Willems, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Evangelos J. Giamarellos‐Bourboulis, Erik J. M. Toonen, Leo A. B. Joosten, RCI-COVID-19 study group, Martin Jaeger, Helga Dijkstra, Heidi Lemmers, Liesbeth van Emst, Kiki Schraa, Cor Jacobs, Anneke Hijmans, Trees Jansen, Fieke Weren, Liz Fransman, Jelle Gerretsen, Josephine van de Maat, Gerine Nijman, Simone J.C.F.M. Moorlag, Esther Taks, Priya A. Debisarun, Ilse J.E. Kouijzer, Heiman Wertheim, Joost Hopman, Janette Rahamat‐Langendoen, Chantal P. Bleeker‐Rovers, Jaap ten Oever, Reinout van Crevel, Jacobien J. Hoogerwerf, Quirijn de Mast, Hans van der Hoeven, Peter Pickkers, Matthijs Kox, Tim Frenzel, Jeroen Schouten, Pleun Hemelaar, Remi Beunders, Sjef van der Velde, Emma J. Kooistra, Nicole Waalders, Wout J. Claassen, Hidde Heesakkers, Tirsa van Schaik, Hetty van der Eng, Noortje Rovers, Margreet Klop-Riehl
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Excessive activation of immune responses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered to be related to disease severity, complications, and mortality rate. The complement system is an important component of innate immunity and can stimulate inflammation, but its role in COVID-19 is unknown. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, single center study was performed in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Plasma concentrations of complement factors C3a, C3c, and terminal complement complex (TCC) were assessed at baseline and during hospital admission. In parallel, routine laboratory and clinical parameters were collected from medical files and analyzed. RESULTS: Complement factors C3a, C3c, and TCC were significantly increased in plasma of patients with COVID-19 compared with healthy controls (P < .05). These complement factors were especially elevated in intensive care unit patients during the entire disease course (P < .005 for C3a and TCC). More intense complement activation was observed in patients who died and in those with thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 demonstrate activation of the complement system, which is related to disease severity. This pathway may be involved in the dysregulated proinflammatory response associated with increased mortality rate and thromboembolic complications. Components of the complement system might have potential as prognostic markers for disease severity and as therapeutic targets in COVID-19.