Expression and Correlation Analysis of Neuropeptide Family Members in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with COVID-19.

ASCL1 levels are lower in children with COVID-19 compared to those with non-COVID-19 bronchial pneumonia, and it correlates negatively with inflammation markers like neutrophils and CRP.

Summary and findings

This study investigated the expression of neuropeptide family members in the peripheral blood of 40 children with COVID-19 and 17 children with non-COVID-19 bronchial pneumonia. The expression of ASCL1 was found to be lower in the COVID-19 group compared to the non-COVID-19 group. No significant differences were observed in the levels of Substance P, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, and Gastrin-Releasing Peptide between the two groups.

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this article is to investigate the expression of neuropeptide family members and their correlation with inflammatory indicators in the peripheral blood of children infected with COVID-19. Methods Blood samples were collected from 40 hospitalized newly diagnosed children with confirmed COVID-19 infection and 17 hospitalized children with non-COVID-19 bronchial pneumonia during the same period. Baseline clinical data were collected and analyzed. Expression and correlation analysis of neuropeptide-related molecules [ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme), ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2), ASCL1 (achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 1)] in peripheral blood were detected and analyzed by ELISA. Complete blood counts with differentials, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), liver enzymes, Substance P (SP), Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), and Gastrin-Releasing Peptide (GRP) were also measured. Results The results of 40 COVID-19 patients (43% males) and 17 non-COVID-19 patients (71% males) were compared. ACE2 in non-COVID-19 and moderate COVID-19 groups was higher than that in severe groups (p=0.04; p=0.03, respectively). ASCL1 in the non-COVID-19 group was higher than that in the COVID-19 group (p=0.04). ASCL1 in the non-COVID group was higher than that in the severe COVID group (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in SP, VIP, and GRP between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups. ASCL1 correlated negatively with blood neutrophils (%) (r = -0.534, p<0.001), CRP (r = -0.522, p<0.001), but positively with lymphocytes (%) (r = 0.572, p<0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.496, p=0.001). There was no significant correlation between SCL1 and white blood cell count, platelet count, alanine transaminase, or Lactate dehydrogenase. Discussion The negative correlation between ASCL1 and neutrophil percentage (N%) and CRP suggests that ASCL1 may modulate the inflammation associated with pediatric COVID-19, positioning it as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. The study's findings suggest that ASCL1 is downregulated in pediatric COVID-19 and correlates negatively with neutrophil percentage and CRP, indicating a potential regulatory role in COVID-19-related inflammation. Unlike adults, ACE/ACE2 are not highly expressed in children, which may partly explain the milder disease course. ASCL1 may represent a novel biomarker and therapeutic target worthy of further investigation in larger pediatric cohorts. Conclusion Unlike adults, ACE and ACE2 are not highly expressed in children with COVID-19. ASCL1 in children with COVID-19 is lower than that in non-COVID-19 children. ASCL1 is negatively correlated with N% and CRP, suggesting that ASCL1 may have a role in COVID-19 inflammation.

Limitations

Not reported in abstract.

Elsewhere in the VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide) corpus