Heparin-binding protein levels correlate with aggravation and multiorgan damage in severe COVID-19

• Published in: ERJ Open Research Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 741
• Main Authors: Xue, Mingshan, Zeng, Yifeng, Qu, Hui-Qi, Zhang, Teng, Li, Ning, Huang, Huimin, Zheng, Peiyan, Hu, Haisheng, Zhou, Luqian, Duan, Zhifeng, Zhang, Yong, Bao, Wei, Tian, Li-Feng, Hakonarson, Hakon, Zhong, Nanshan, Zhang, Xiaohua Douglas, Sun, Baoqing
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: England European Respiratory Society Journals Ltd 01.01.2021; European Respiratory Society
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 2312-0541; 2312-0541
• DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00741-2020

Critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may suffer persistent systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure, leading to a poor prognosis. 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. 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. 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. 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.