Transferrin identified as potential contributor to COVID-19 severity

SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 , coronavirus
A colorized scanning electron micrograph of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Credit: NIAID

SARS-CoV-2 is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. It is currently not known why some individuals develop only mild or no symptoms when infected, whilst others experience severe, life-threatening forms of the disease. However, it is known that the risk of COVID-19 becoming severe increases with age and is higher in males than in females. Many severe COVID-19 cases are characterized by increased blood clotting and thrombosis formation.

The team combined existing data on in humans with cell culture research of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells to search for molecules involved in blood coagulation that differ between females and males, change with age, and are regulated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Out of more than 200 candidate factors, researchers identified a glycoprotein called transferrin to be a procoagulant (a cause of ) that increases with age, is higher in males than in females, and is higher in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. Hence, transferrin may have potential as a biomarker for the early identification of COVID-19 patients at high risk of severe disease.

More information: Katie-May McLaughlin et al. COVID-19-Related Coagulopathy—Is Transferrin a Missing Link?, Diagnostics (2020). DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10080539

Citation: Transferrin identified as potential contributor to COVID-19 severity (2020, August 3) retrieved 18 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-transferrin-potential-contributor-covid-severity.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

COVID-19 may cause deadly blood clots

6 shares

Feedback to editors