Heparin-binding protein levels correlate with aggravation and multiorgan damage in severe COVID-19
Mingshan Xue, Yifeng Zeng, Hui‐Qi Qu, Teng Zhang, Ning Li, Huimin Huang, Peiyan Zheng, Haisheng Hu, Luqian Zhou, Zhifeng Duan, Yong Zhang, Wei Bao, Lifeng Tian, Håkon Håkonarson, Nanshan Zhong, Xiaohua Douglas Zhang, Baoqing Sun
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may suffer persistent systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure, leading to a poor prognosis. RESEARCH QUESTION: To examine the relevance of the novel inflammatory factor heparin-binding protein (HBP) in critically ill COVID-19 patients, and evaluate the correlation of the biomarker with disease progression. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: 18 critically ill COVID-19 patients who suffered from respiratory failure and sepsis, including 12 cases who experienced a rapidly deteriorating clinical condition and six cases without deterioration, were investigated. They were compared with 15 age- and sex- matched COVID-19-negative patients with respiratory failure. Clinical data were collected and HBP levels were investigated. RESULTS: HBP was significantly increased in critically ill COVID-19 patients following disease aggravation and tracked with disease progression. HBP elevation preceded the clinical manifestations for up to 5 days and was closely correlated with patients' pulmonary ventilation and perfusion status. INTERPRETATION: HBP levels are associated with COVID-19 disease progression in critically ill patients. As a potential mediator of disease aggravation and multiple organ injuries that are triggered by continuing inflammation and oxygen deficits, HBP warrants further study as a disease biomarker and potential therapeutic target.