Frontiers in Immunology (Apr 2023)

Polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene are associated with the plasma levels of MBL and the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in severe COVID-19

  • Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz,
  • Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz,
  • Angélica Menezes Santiago,
  • Angélica Menezes Santiago,
  • Wandrey Roberto dos Santos Brito,
  • Wandrey Roberto dos Santos Brito,
  • Keise Adrielle Santos Pereira,
  • Keise Adrielle Santos Pereira,
  • William Botelho de Brito,
  • William Botelho de Brito,
  • Maria Karoliny da Silva Torres,
  • Maria Karoliny da Silva Torres,
  • Jeferson da Costa Lopes,
  • Jeferson da Costa Lopes,
  • Erika Ferreira dos Santos,
  • Erika Ferreira dos Santos,
  • Flávia Póvoa da Costa,
  • Flávia Póvoa da Costa,
  • Kevin Matheus Lima de Sarges,
  • Kevin Matheus Lima de Sarges,
  • Marcos Henrique Damasceno Cantanhede,
  • Marcos Henrique Damasceno Cantanhede,
  • Mioni Thieli Figueiredo Magalhães de Brito,
  • Andréa Luciana Soares da Silva,
  • Mauro de Meira Leite,
  • Maria de Nazaré do Socorro de Almeida Viana,
  • Maria de Nazaré do Socorro de Almeida Viana,
  • Fabíola Brasil Barbosa Rodrigues,
  • Fabíola Brasil Barbosa Rodrigues,
  • Rosilene da Silva,
  • Rosilene da Silva,
  • Giselle Maria Rachid Viana,
  • Tânia do Socorro Souza Chaves,
  • Tânia do Socorro Souza Chaves,
  • Adriana de Oliveira Lameira Veríssimo,
  • Mayara da Silva Carvalho,
  • Daniele Freitas Henriques,
  • Carla Pinheiro dos Santos,
  • Juliana Abreu Lima Nunes,
  • Iran Barros Costa,
  • Iran Barros Costa,
  • Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras,
  • Sandra Souza Lima,
  • Izaura Maria Vieira Cayres-Vallinoto,
  • Izaura Maria Vieira Cayres-Vallinoto,
  • Igor Brasil-Costa,
  • Igor Brasil-Costa,
  • Juarez Antônio Simões Quaresma,
  • Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão,
  • Eduardo José Melo dos Santos,
  • Eduardo José Melo dos Santos,
  • Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto,
  • Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1151058
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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IntroductionMannose-binding lectin (MBL) promotes opsonization, favoring phagocytosis and activation of the complement system in response to different microorganisms, and may influence the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. This study investigated the association of MBL2 gene polymorphisms with the plasma levels of MBL and inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19.MethodsBlood samples from 385 individuals (208 with acute COVID-19 and 117 post-COVID-19) were subjected to real-time PCR genotyping. Plasma measurements of MBL and cytokines were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsThe frequencies of the polymorphic MBL2 genotype (OO) and allele (O) were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (p< 0.05). The polymorphic genotypes (AO and OO) were associated with lower MBL levels (p< 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in patients with low MBL and severe COVID-19 (p< 0.05). No association of polymorphisms, MBL levels, or cytokine levels with long COVID was observed.DiscussionThe results suggest that, besides MBL2 polymorphisms promoting a reduction in MBL levels and therefore in its function, they may also contribute to the development of a more intense inflammatory process responsible for the severity of COVID-19.

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