The Role of Growth Factors in the Pathogenesis of Dengue: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Growth factors (GFs) have a role in tissue repair and in the modulation of the expression of inflammatory cells in damage caused by pathogens. This study aims to systematize the evidence on the role of GFs in the pathogenesis of dengue. This scoping review considered all published peer-reviewed studies in the MEDLINE and Embase databases. Ultimately, 58 studies that analyzed GFs in dengue patients, published between 1998 and 2021, were included. DENV-2 infection and secondary infection were more frequent in the patients studied. ELISA and multiplex immunoassay (Luminex) were the most used measurement techniques. Increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor beta, and hepatocyte growth factor as well as reduced levels of platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor were observed in severe dengue in most studies. Vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor were identified as biomarkers of severity. In addition, there is evidence that the dengue virus can use the growth factor pathway to facilitate its entry into the cell and promote its viral replication. The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors is an alternative treatment for dengue that is being studied.

Temporal cytokine storm dynamics in dengue infection predicts severity

“…This increase in vascular permeability can cause plasma leakage and other complications such as shock, bleeding, and organ failure. Studies have shown that in addition to pro-inflammatory cytokines, there was an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) ( Fiestas Solórzano et al., 2022 ; Tsai et al., 2013 ). Identifying pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine since the onset of symptoms can predict dengue severity for clinical decision-making.…”