Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in COVID-19 patients: relation to platelets and association with the disease outcome

Abstract

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β ) is a ubiquitously distributed cytokine known to contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous pathological processes. The aim of this study was to measure serum concentrations of TGF- β 1 in severely ill COVID-19 patients and to analyze its relationship with selected hematological and biochemical parameters and with the disease outcome. The study population included 53 COVID-19 patients with severe clinical expression of the disease and 15 control subjects. TGF- β 1 was determined in serum samples and supernatants from PHA-stimulated whole blood cultures using ELISA assay. Biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed using standard accepted methods. Our results showed that serum levels of TGF- β 1 in COVID-19 patients and controls correlate with the platelet counts. Also, positive correlations of TGF- β 1 with white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratio, and fibrinogen level were shown, while negative correlations of this cytokine with platelet distribution width (PDW), D-dimer and activated partial thromboplastin time ( a -PTT) values in COVID-19 patients were observed. The lower serum values of TGF- β 1 were associated with the unfavorable outcome of COVID-19. In conclusion, TGF- β 1 levels were strongly associated with platelet counts and unfavorable disease outcome of severely ill COVID-19 patients.

TGF Beta as a Prognostic Biomarker of COVID-19 Severity in Patients with NAFLD—A Prospective Case–Control Study

“…On the other hand, Karadeniz et al, in their cross-sectional study, showed no significant difference in TGF-β1 concentrations between 59 COVID-19 patients and 30 healthy controls [ 27 ]. Recently, Zivancevic-Simonovic S et al showed that lower serum TGF-β1 concentrations were associated with unfavorable outcomes in severe COVID-19 [ 43 ]. In patients with long COVID who developed pulmonary fibrosis, TGF-β1 was elevated [ 44 ], which is not unusual considering that TGF-β is one of the main promoters of fibrosis [ 24 ].…”

Organ-Dysfunction Markers in Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 Convalescents

“…Moreover, they observed differences in TGF-β concentration between COVID-19 subjects dependent on the total platelet (PLT) count in their blood, indicating that the higher the platelet count is, the greater the TGF-β concentration. Interestingly, COVID-19 patients with a normal PLT count did not differ from heathy controls in terms of TGF-β levels [22]. In our study, we were assessing TGF-β in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 convalescents, at least 6 months after recovery.…”

Determination of both the expression and serum levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) genes in SARS-CoV- 2 Running title: SARS coronavirus-2 and EGF- TGFβ1

“…TGF-β1 in uences immune cell development, differentiation, tolerance induction, and homeostasis, with pleiotropic effects contributing to either immune response or tolerance establishment. While previous research has implicated TGF-β1 in various pathological processes, its role in COVID-19 progression and outcome remains inadequately explored [30].…”

“…To examine the daily change of TGF-β1 level in other planned studies, It may be useful to explain changes in the pathogenesis of the disease. Snezana Zivancevic-Simonovic and her colleagues [30] discovered that the concentration of TGF-β1 was lower in individuals who succumbed to COVID-19 compared to those who survived. Furthermore, their correlation analysis revealed a robust positive connection between TGF-β1 levels in patients' serum and platelet counts.…”