The relationship between podoplanin expression in coronavirus disease 2019-infected patients and incidence of thrombotic events

Background Podoplanin (PDPN) is a type-I transmembrane sialomucin-like glycoprotein. It is the ligand of C-type lectin receptor type-2 on the platelets’ surface. Binding of PDPN to C-type lectin receptor type-2 promotes platelet aggregation and enhances thrombosis. Aim The purpose of this study is to evaluate serum PDPN levels in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in light of their clinical and laboratory data. The study also aims to assess the relationship between the PDPN levels and the incidence of thrombotic events in those patients. Patients and methods This study included 82 participants (62 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy controls). PCR was used to confirm the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. The laboratory assessment (complete blood count parameters, C-reactive protein level, serum ferritin level, D-dimer) and the clinical characteristics of patients (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases, and other comorbid conditions) were correlated with the PDPN level and the thrombotic events [the incidence, the site (arterial or venous), and the provocation status of thrombosis]. Results Serum PDPN was highly expressed in COVID-19 patients compared with control samples, with a highly statistically significant difference ( P <0.001). Moreover, serum PDPN levels were higher in patients who developed thrombotic events during their course of management rather than the patients who did not experience any thrombotic events ( P <0.001). Serum PDPN was also significantly higher in diabetic and hypertensive patients ( P =0.016 and 0.017, respectively). In addition, PDPN depicted a positive statistically significant correlation with serum ferritin and D-dimer levels with P values of 0.004 and 0.013, respectively. Conclusion PDPN expression increased during active COVID-19 infection when compared to the control group, and its expression was significantly higher in patients who developed thrombotic events.