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Coronavirus also attacks the heart
It has been known for some time that an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can affect not only the lungs but also other organs. The COVID-19 disease caused by the pathogen can attack the heart. Researchers from Germany have now gained further insights that could contribute to possible new therapeutic approaches.
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 still has the world firmly under control, there are new developments every day. Thanks to intensive research, more and more is also being learned about the behavior and medical consequences of infection. So far, the COVID-19 disease caused by the pathogen has primarily focused on the respiratory and lung symptoms, but the virus also attacks the heart.
Biomarkers detected in the seriously ill
Like the Hannover Medical School (MHH) writes, infections with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are not just a burden on the lungs. The pathogen also massively affects the cardiovascular system.
A research group at the Institute for Molecular and Translational Therapy Strategies at the MHH has now demonstrated certain biomarkers in seriously ill COVID-19 sufferers, which are typically found in inflammatory processes and in patients with heart disease and offer possible new therapeutic approaches.
The study, led by Institute Director Professor Dr. Dr. Thomas Thum and Dr. Christian Bär has received funding from the German Heart Foundation and is featured in the specialist journal “European Journal of Heart Failure” released.
The concentration of the microRNA markers increased significantly
“We assumed that so-called non-coding microRNAs, which do not have any blueprints for genetic information, play an essential regulatory role in the excessive immune response and the subsequent remodeling work in the connective tissue of the lungs and heart. We already knew that these microRNAs can also be detected in the blood, ”explains Professor Thum.
In collaboration with the MHH Clinics for Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, the scientists examined blood samples from 38 people with COVID-19 who were treated in intensive care and ventilated.
“To do this, we focused on various sensitive microRNA markers for cardiovascular damage and analyzed how high their concentration is in the blood serum,” explains the institute director.
For comparison, the study also examined the blood of flu patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), who also had to be treated and ventilated in intensive care, as well as blood samples from a healthy control group.
The result: Compared to healthy individuals, the concentration of the microRNA markers in the blood serum of the seriously ill COVID-19 patients was significantly higher. However, it also differed significantly from the values of the seriously ill, also mechanically ventilated influenza ARDS sufferers.
Possible approaches for new therapies
Evidence that the heart is also affected by SARS-CoV-2 infections could possibly have consequences for the treatment of sick people.
“In our opinion, the heart function of COVID-19 patients should be monitored over the long term,” says cardiologist Thum.
In addition, the research team now wants to investigate whether the biomarkers can also be used to estimate the prognosis for the course of the disease and recovery. In addition, the microRNAs could enable approaches for new therapies. (ad)
Author and source information
This text complies with the requirements of specialist medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
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Swell:
- Hannover Medical School (MHH): SARS-CoV-2 attacks the heart, (accessed: January 24, 2021), Hannover Medical School (MHH)
- Ankita Garg PhD, Benjamin Seeliger MD, Anselm A. Derda MD, Ke Xiao PhD, Anika Gietz, Kristian Scherf, Kristina Sonnenschein MD, Isabell Pink MD, Marius M. Hoeper MD, Tobias Welte MD, Johann Bauersachs MD, Sascha David MD, Christian Bär PhD, Thomas Thum MD PhD: Circulating cardiovascular microRNAs in critically ill COVID‐19 patients Short title: microRNA signatures in COVID‐19; in: European Journal of Heart Failure, (veröffentlicht: 09.01.2021), European Journal of Heart Failure
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Important NOTE:
This article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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