IP-10, MIP1α, IL-6, and IL-1β as Biomarkers Associated with Disease Severity of COVID-19

Background: The factors responsible for the progression of COVID-19 from a mild illness to a severe and often lethal condition, characterized by respiratory failure and multiple organ involvement, remain unclear. The identification of biomarkers capableof predicting disease progression is of the highest importance. Objectives: This study sought to assess laboratory measurements of interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10), macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP1 alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) to achieve this objective. Methods: We measured IP-10 and MIP1 alpha by qRT-PCR and IL-6 and IL-1 beta using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 120 serum samples. We analyzed differences between patients with moderate, severe, and recovered COVID-19. Results: The number of positive cases for biomarkers IP-10, MIP1 alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta were significantly different between groups.The expression levels of IP-10 and MIP1 alpha were significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19 compared to those who hadrecovered. A strong positive association was observed between IP-10 and MIP1 alpha in severe infection cases. Additionally, these biomarkers were relatively independent predictors of disease severity. Conclusions: The results suggest that IP-10, MIP1 alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta are promising research candidates for understanding theseverity of COVID-19 and for investigating possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease