Nox2 activation in Covid-19
Francesco Violi, Alessandra Oliva, Roberto Cangemi, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Pasquale Pignatelli, Roberto Carnevale, Vittoria Cammisotto, Miriam Lichtner, Francesco Alessandri, Massimiliano De Angelis, Maria Claudia Miele, Gabriella d’Ettorre, Franco Ruberto, Mario Venditti, Francesco Pugliese, Claudio Maria Mastroianni
Abstract
Nox2 is responsible for artery dysfunction via production of reactive oxidant species. RNA viruses may activate Nox2, but it is unknown if this occurs in coronavirus 2019(Covid-19). Nox2 activation by soluble Nox2-derived peptide(sNox2-dp) was measured in patients hospitalized for Covid-19 (n = 182) and controls (n = 91). sNox2-dp values were higher in Covid-19 patients versus controls and in severe versus non severe Covid-19. Patients with thrombotic events(n = 35,19%) had higher sNox2-dp than thrombotic event-free ones. A logistic regression analysis showed that sNox2 and coronary heart disease predicted thrombotic events. Oxidative stress by Nox2 activation is associated severe disease and thrombotic events in Covid-19 patients.