Role of pyroptosis in COVID-19

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between gasdermin-D, caspase-1, IL-1β and NLRP3, biomarkers that play an important role in COVID-19, and pyroptosis. Material and Methods: This study was carried out with 58 participants, 28 (48.28%) of whom were diagnosis with COVID-19, and 30 (51.72%) of whom were healthy volunteers (control group). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the gasdermin-D, caspase-1, IL-1β, and NLRP3 levels as a result of all statistical comparisons performed. However, IL-1β values both during the discharge period and during the hospitalization period were considerably higher than those of the control group. At the discharge period, IL-1β values of the patients with severe COVID-19 category had higher than moderate patients, and the patients with moderate than the patients with mild patients. Conclusion: It was observed that IL-1β, which is one of the cytokines released as a result of cell death in the pyroptosis mechanism, was higher in the COVID-19 patients in both the hospitalization and discharge periods compared to the control group. Although not statistically significant these results could support the relationship between pyroptosis and COVID-19.

Keywords

• COVID-19; Interleukin-1β; Pyroptosis