Who gets seriously ill with Corona? Erlangen researchers are discovering a new risk factor

Some people who have contracted the Coronavirus hardly notice anything. Others become seriously ill and have to be treated as inpatients. About the Risk factors Even today – one year after the global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic – there is still no absolute clarity. Erlangen Researchers She now has references to one Biomarker Discover, The dependent Anticipate acute disease progression and possibly even enable treatment.

One thing is for sure so far: Older adults have a higher chance of getting seriously ill from Covid-19. Other factors, such as smoking, increase the risk of serious diseases. Obesity can also lead to serious problems. However, there is still no agreement on the mechanisms that increase the risk of developing severe corona diseases. And time and time again, people become seriously ill and do not actually belong to any at-risk group.

Protein concentration indicates the corona pathway

Two doctors from Erlangen – Dr. George Weber, Deputy Director of the Clinic and Chief Physician of the Surgical Clinic at the University Hospital Erlangen, Dr. Alan Benard, employee of the surgical clinic – now there is hope for better identification of the challenging courses. Treatment is even possible.

With other researchers from the working group.Cellular immunity in cases of inflammation and cancer“The University Hospital Erlangen is important Leading indicator Find out if the viral infection will be mild or severe: Immunbottnstof interleukin-3. The results of the study appear in the journal Nature Communications“.

Interleukin-3 is a proteinWhich Stimulates the human immune system. It stimulates blood formation and is therefore used, for example, after bone marrow transplants, in general anemia or after chemotherapy to enhance blood formation.

Weber and Binard have now shown in a study that A. Low levels of interleukin 3 In blood plasma often with a Severe course of Covid-19 disease Going hand in hand. Interleukin-3 plays a major role in regulating the body’s immune response. It stimulates the cells there to produce the protein CXCL12 at the site of inflammation – for example SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia.

A cure also appears possible

This protein communicates with plasmablastic dendritic cells – nonspecific immune cells that normally circulate in the bloodstream. Dr. CXCL12 “attracts” them to the inflamed lungs, so to speak, as it limits the reproduction of the causative viruses. Weber. In other words: Interleukin-3 indirectly improves the body’s immune defenses and concentrates them.

Interleukin-3 level can provide an important clue to a severe cycle. So far, this evaluation can only be based on more stringent criteria – such as age or some past illness. But people who do not belong to any at-risk group could have very little interleukin-3 in their blood. With this, the difficult cycle has come as a surprise so far, and proper medical care may be too late, ”Dr. Weber says to look.

Now, based on the results of the study, important decisions about treating Covid-19 patients can be made early. More than that: it is also possible to visualize this in perspective To develop immunotherapyInhaled form, Interleukin-3 is used to precisely protect the lungs from virus infection.