The ratio of serum LL-37 levels to blood leucocyte count correlates with COVID-19 severity
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The ratio of serum LL-37 levels to blood leucocyte count correlates with COVID-19 severity. / Keutmann, Matthias; Hermes, Gabriele; Meinberger, Denise; Roth, Annika; Stemler, Jannik; Cornely, Oliver A; Klatt, Andreas R; Streichert, Thomas.
In: SCI REP-UK, Vol. 12, No. 1, 9447, 08.06.2022.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The ratio of serum LL-37 levels to blood leucocyte count correlates with COVID-19 severity
AU - Keutmann, Matthias
AU - Hermes, Gabriele
AU - Meinberger, Denise
AU - Roth, Annika
AU - Stemler, Jannik
AU - Cornely, Oliver A
AU - Klatt, Andreas R
AU - Streichert, Thomas
N1 - © 2022. The Author(s).
PY - 2022/6/8
Y1 - 2022/6/8
N2 - Beneficial effects of vitamin D on COVID-19 progression have been discussed in several studies. Vitamin D stimulates the expression of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and evidence shows that LL-37 can antagonize SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we investigated the association between LL-37 and vitamin D serum levels and the severity of COVID-19. To this end, 78 COVID-19 patients were divided into 5 groups according to disease severity. We determined serum levels of LL-37, vitamin D, and routine laboratory parameters. We demonstrated a correlation of CRP, IL-6, PCT, leukocyte count, and LDH with the severity of COVID-19. Our study did not demonstrate a direct relationship between serum levels of LL-37 and vitamin D and the severity of COVID-19. LL-37 is produced by granulocytes and released at the site of inflammation. Therefore, the analysis of LL-37 in broncho-alvelolar lavage rather than in patient serum seems critical. However, since LL-37 is produced by granulocytes, we determined serum LL-37 levels as a function of leukocyte count. The LL-37/leukocyte count ratio correlates highly significantly inversely proportional with COVID-19 severity. Our results indicate that the LL-37/leukocyte count ratio could be used to assess the risk of COVID-19 progression as early as hospital admission.
AB - Beneficial effects of vitamin D on COVID-19 progression have been discussed in several studies. Vitamin D stimulates the expression of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and evidence shows that LL-37 can antagonize SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we investigated the association between LL-37 and vitamin D serum levels and the severity of COVID-19. To this end, 78 COVID-19 patients were divided into 5 groups according to disease severity. We determined serum levels of LL-37, vitamin D, and routine laboratory parameters. We demonstrated a correlation of CRP, IL-6, PCT, leukocyte count, and LDH with the severity of COVID-19. Our study did not demonstrate a direct relationship between serum levels of LL-37 and vitamin D and the severity of COVID-19. LL-37 is produced by granulocytes and released at the site of inflammation. Therefore, the analysis of LL-37 in broncho-alvelolar lavage rather than in patient serum seems critical. However, since LL-37 is produced by granulocytes, we determined serum LL-37 levels as a function of leukocyte count. The LL-37/leukocyte count ratio correlates highly significantly inversely proportional with COVID-19 severity. Our results indicate that the LL-37/leukocyte count ratio could be used to assess the risk of COVID-19 progression as early as hospital admission.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Humans
KW - Leukocyte Count
KW - Leukocytes
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Vitamin D
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-022-13260-8
DO - 10.1038/s41598-022-13260-8
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 35676519
VL - 12
JO - SCI REP-UK
JF - SCI REP-UK
SN - 2045-2322
IS - 1
M1 - 9447
ER -
