COVID-19: A Possible Contribution of the MAPK Pathway
Jessica Cusato,
Alessandra Manca,
Alice Palermiti,
Jacopo Mula,
Martina Costanzo,
Miriam Antonucci,
Mattia Trunfio,
Silvia Corcione,
Francesco Chiara,
Elisa Delia De Vivo,
Alice Ianniello,
Micol Ferrara,
Giovanni Di Perri,
Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa,
Antonio D’Avolio,
Andrea Calcagno
Affiliations
Jessica Cusato
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Alessandra Manca
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Alice Palermiti
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Jacopo Mula
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Martina Costanzo
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Miriam Antonucci
ASL Città di Torino, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, 10149 Turin, Italy
Mattia Trunfio
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Silvia Corcione
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, City of Health and Life Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Francesco Chiara
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology S. Luigi A.O.U., Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy
Elisa Delia De Vivo
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Alice Ianniello
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Micol Ferrara
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Giovanni Di Perri
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, City of Health and Life Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Antonio D’Avolio
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Andrea Calcagno
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy
Background: COVID-19 is characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response with high pro-inflammatory cytokine production through the activation of intracellular pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Viruses are able to exploit the MAPK pathway to their advantage; this pathway relevance to severe COVID-19 is poorly described. The aim of this study was to quantify biomarkers involved in the MAPK pathway and to clarify its possible role in affecting some COVID-19-related clinical features. Methods: H-RAS, C-RAF, MAPK1, MAPK2, and ERK were quantified through ELISA, and genetic polymorphisms were evaluated through real-time PCR. Results: We prospectively recruited 201 individuals (158 positive and 43 negative for SARS-CoV-2): 35 were male, and their median age was 65 years. MAPK-related biomarker levels were increased in SARS-CoV-2-positive participants (n = 89) compared to negative ones (n = 29). Dyspnea was reported by 48%; this symptom was associated with PBMC C-RAF levels in positive participants (p = 0.022) and type of ventilation (p = 0.031). The highest degree of ventilation was used by 8% for invasive ventilation and 41% for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Conclusions: This is the first study that showed a possible contribution of MAPK-related biomarkers in affecting COVID-19 clinical features, and this may be relevant for identifying COVID-19 positive participants at risk of serious complications.
