LTB4-Driven Inflammation and Increased Expression of ALOX5/ ACE2 During Severe COVID-19 in Individuals With Diabetes

Diabetes. 2021 Sep;70(9):2120-2130. doi: 10.2337/db20-1260. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Abstract

Diabetes is a known risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, there is a lack of knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the evolution of COVID-19 in individuals with diabetes. We aimed to evaluate whether the chronic low-grade inflammation of diabetes could play a role in the development of severe COVID-19. We collected clinical data and blood samples of patients with and without diabetes hospitalized for COVID-19. Plasma samples were used to measure inflammatory mediators and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, for gene expression analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 main receptor system (ACE2/TMPRSS2), and for the main molecule of the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) pathway (ALOX5). We found that diabetes activates the LTB4 pathway and that during COVID-19 it increases ACE2/TMPRSS2 as well as ALOX5 expression. Diabetes was also associated with COVID-19-related disorders, such as reduced oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and arterial partial pressure of oxygen/FiO2 levels, and increased disease duration. In addition, the expressions of ACE2 and ALOX5 are positively correlated, with increased expression in patients with diabetes and COVID-19 requiring intensive care assistance. We confirmed these molecular results at the protein level, where plasma LTB4 is significantly increased in individuals with diabetes. In addition, IL-6 serum levels are increased only in individuals with diabetes requiring intensive care assistance. Together, these results indicate that LTB4 and IL-6 systemic levels, as well as ACE2/ALOX5 blood expression, could be early markers of severe COVID-19 in individuals with diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / genetics
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism*
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / genetics
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / metabolism*
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / pathology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Leukotriene B4 / genetics
  • Leukotriene B4 / metabolism*
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Leukotriene B4
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
  • ALOX5 protein, human
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2