Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Fatal COVID-19-Associated Lung Injury. (2nd August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Obermayer, Astrid; Jakob, Lisa-Maria; Haslbauer, Jasmin D.; Matter, Matthias S.; Tzankov, Alexandar; Stoiber, Walter
• Other Names: Pichler Robert Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Disease markers. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-02
• Subjects: Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/5566826
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-0240

Abstract

Abstract : An excess formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), previously shown to be strongly associated with cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with prevalent endothelial dysfunction and thrombosis, has been postulated to be a central factor influencing the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of severe COVID-19. A growing number of serological and morphological evidence has added to this assumption, also in regard to potential treatment options. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and histochemistry to trace NETs and their molecular markers in autopsy lung tissue from seven COVID-19 patients. Quantification of key immunomorphological features enabled comparison with non-COVID-19 diffuse alveolar damage. Our results strengthen and extend recent findings, confirming that NETs are abundantly present in seriously damaged COVID-19 lung tissue, especially in association with microthrombi of the alveolar capillaries. In addition, we provide evidence that low-density neutrophils (LDNs), which are especially prone to NETosis, contribute substantially to COVID-19-associated lung damage in general and vascular blockages in particular.