Regulation of the expression of proinflammatory cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2

Investigating the relationship between the IL-17 rs2275913, IL-17 rs763780, and the IL-6 rs1800795 genotypes in HIV-positive patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

The people living with HIV with abnormal immune responses have been identified as a population that is particularly susceptibility to contracting COVID-19. We explored the correlation between gene polymorphisms of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-6, and the susceptibility to COVID-19 in individuals with HIV infection.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 337 HIV-positive patients were included. Serological and molecular tests were done using ELISA and PCR-RFLP methods. Allelic frequency, haplotype analyses, linkage disequilibrium were calculated. A linear regression model was used to analyze the interleukin SNP genotypes in HIV patients with and without COVID-19.

RESULTS

A total of 337 PLWH were recruited for this study, with 170 having COVID-19 and 167 not having it. The mean age and laboratory indicators showed no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The allele frequency analysis found no significant difference in the IL-17A rs2275913 polymorphism between case and control groups. However, the IL-17F rs763780 and IL-6 rs1800795 had significantly greater frequencies of specific alleles in the case group compared to the control group. The A-A haplotype of IL-17 in SNPs-rs 2,275,913 and rs763780 rising the risk of COVID-19 infection in PLWH by up to 2.398 times compared with the other haplotypes, and the A-G and G-A haplotypes have a protective role against the incidence of COVID-19 infection.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to show a significant correlation between the prevalence of COVID-19 and variety polymorphism at IL-17 and IL-6, which suggests that genetic changes in interleukin genes may relate to COVID-19 distribution.

[Translated article] COVID-19 and Dermal Fillers: Should We Really Be Concerned?

SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of infections and deaths worldwide and case numbers continue to rise. Besides the effect of the virus on key organs - leading to respiratory illness, anosmia, diarrhea, and fever and other complications - delayed inflammatory reactions to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, mainly in the face, have also been reported to occur after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and in vaccinated individuals. While delayed inflammatory reactions tend to be self-limiting, they should be diagnosed and treated with corticosteroids, hyaluronidase, and/or antibiotics when necessary. The inflammation is generally not severe, yet these complications are classified as serious adverse events by the US Food and Drug Administration. They appear to be delayed type IV hypersensitivity reactions triggered by the immune system in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses, such as those causing influenza, although the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Because the longevity of dermal fillers is increasing, while the pandemic continues to evolve and new vaccines are under development, the long-term effects on hyaluronic acid fillers and other bioimplant materials should be studied. Physicians must also be encouraged to report these reactions, however mild, to ensure accurate records.

COVID y rellenos faciales ¿realmente debemos preocuparnos?

La pandemia por COVID ha causado hoy en día millones de afectados, continuando su aumento a nivel mundial. Junto con la afectación los órganos diana clave (aparato respiratorio, anosmia, diarrea, fiebre, etc.), se han descrito reacciones inmunológicas tardías en los rellenos dérmicos por ácido hialurónico (AH), fundamentalmente a nivel facial. Estas alteraciones aparecen tanto en pacientes positivos para el virus, independientemente de la sintomatología sistémica, como en pacientes que han recibido vacunación frente al SARS-CoV-2. Aunque las reacciones suelen ser autolimitadas y autoresolutivas, es importante saber diagnosticarlas y en ocasiones establecer tratamiento con corticoides, hialuronidasa y/o antibióticos. Aunque no son graves, la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los Estados Unidos (FDA) las ha clasificado como evento adverso serio. Los mecanismos que originan están reacciones no están completamente dilucidados. Parece que son reacciones de hipersensibilidad retardada tipo IV, favorecidas por estímulos inmunológicos que se activan en presencia de la COVID o de otros virus como la gripe. Sin embargo, dado que los rellenos presentan cada vez mayor durabilidad y a que la pandemia continúa su curso, existiendo nuevas vacunas en desarrollo, es esencial la realización de estudios que describan la evolución a largo plazo tanto de los rellenos de AH, como de otros bioimplantes. Así mismo, es esencial alentar a los médicos de que reporten este tipo de reacciones, aunque no revistan gravedad con el objetivo de poder realizar un registro fidedigno de ellas.

Galectin-8, cytokines, and the storm

Galectin-8 (Gal-8) belongs to a family of animal lectins that modulate cell adhesion, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses. Recent studies have shown that mammalian Gal-8 induces in an autocrine and paracrine manner, the expression and secretion of cytokines and chemokines such as RANKL, IL-6, IL-1β, SDF-1, and MCP-1. This involves Gal-8 binding to receptor complexes that include MRC2/uPAR/LRP1, integrins, and CD44. Receptors ligation triggers FAK, ERK, Akt, and the JNK signaling pathways, leading to induction of NF-κB that promotes cytokine expression. Indeed, immune-competent Gal-8 knockout (KO) mice express systemic lower levels of cytokines and chemokines while the opposite is true for Gal-8 transgenic animals. Cytokine and chemokine secretion, induced by Gal-8, promotes the migration of cancer cells toward cells expressing this lectin. Accordingly, Gal-8 KO mice experience reduced tumor size and smaller and fewer metastatic lesions when injected with cancer cells. These observations suggest the existence of a ‘vicious cycle’ whereby Gal-8 expression and secretion promotes the secretion of cytokines and chemokines that further promote Gal-8 expression. This ‘vicious cycle’ could enhance the development of a ‘cytokine storm’ which is a key contributor to the poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients.