Differential association between inflammatory cytokines and multiorgan dysfunction in COVID-19 patients with obesity

PLoS One. 2021 May 26;16(5):e0252026. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252026. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the SARS-CoV-2 infection severity observed in patients with obesity, we performed a prospective study of 51 patients evaluating the impact of multiple immune parameters during 2 weeks after admission, on vital organs' functions according to body mass index (BMI) categories. High-dimensional flow cytometric characterization of immune cell subsets was performed at admission, 30 systemic cytokines/chemokines levels were sequentially measured, thirteen endothelial markers were determined at admission and at the zenith of the cytokines. Computed tomography scans on admission were quantified for lung damage and hepatic steatosis (n = 23). Abnormal BMI (> 25) observed in 72.6% of patients, was associated with a higher rate of intensive care unit hospitalization (p = 0.044). SARS-CoV-2 RNAaemia, peripheral immune cell subsets and cytokines/chemokines were similar among BMI groups. A significant association between inflammatory cytokines and liver, renal, and endothelial dysfunctions was observed only in patients with obesity (BMI > 30). In contrast, early signs of lung damage (ground-glass opacity) correlated with Th1/M1/inflammatory cytokines only in normal weight patients. Later lesions of pulmonary consolidation correlated with BMI but were independent of cytokine levels. Our study reveals distinct physiopathological mechanisms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with obesity that may have important clinical implications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Body Mass Index
  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Chemokines / blood
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / physiopathology*
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / pathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • RNA, Viral

Grants and funding

The funding resources were Université de Paris, The Cancer Research for Personalized Medicine (CARPEM), National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), and Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). Study sponsors had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The corresponding author had full access to all the data in the study and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.