Low-Grade Inflammation in Long COVID Syndrome Sustains a Persistent Platelet Activation Associated With Lung Impairment
In the present study, we provide evidence on the potential mechanisms involved in the residual pulmonary impairment described in long COVID syndrome. Data highlight that lung damage is significantly associated with a proinflammatory platelet phenotype, characterized mainly by the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates. In ex vivo experiments, long COVID plasma reproduces the platelet activation observed in vivo and highlights low-grade inflammation as a potential underpinning mechanism, exploiting a synergistic activity between C-reactive protein and subthreshold concentrations of interleukin-6. The platelet-activated phenotype is blunted by anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet drugs, suggesting a potential therapeutic option in this clinical setting.
Authors
- Daniele Andreini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5996-9209)
- Tatiana Mencarini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9485-3105)
- Marina Camera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7814-7067)
- F Fumoso
- C. Pinna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2828-5875)
- Nicola Cosentino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8628-3106)
- Alessia Becchetti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4478-2123)
- Marta Brambilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7251-9106)
- Alice Bonomi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5409-0791)
- Maria Elisabetta Mancini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9117-8466)
- Martino Francesco Pengo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4657-9172)
- Arianna Galotta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9561-9436)
- Miriam Bosco
- Maria Giulia Conti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8659-4652)
- Franco Cernigliaro
- Piergiuseppe Agostoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8345-6382)
- Silvia Bozzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1046-631X)
- Elena Tortorici
- Kevin Nallio
Institutions
- University of Milan (IT)
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino (IT)
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano (IT)
- Politecnico di Milano (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JACC Basic to Translational Science
- Published
- 2024-11-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacbts.2024.09.007
- Citations
- 11
- Primary Topic
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.06
Funders
- Ministero della Salute