Molecular patterns of neurodegeneration in coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The reports on the neurological and psychiatric consequences of coronavirus infection are of particular relevance owing to their limited availability. The molecular patterns of nerve tissue damage are an important task for understanding the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration.

AIM: To study the dynamics of changes in the content of markers of neurodegeneration and neuroplasticity in patients with coronavirus infection in the acute and long-term periods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients aged 51–83 years were assessed and categorized into two age groups: 51–65 years and 66–83 years. The levels of neurodegeneration markers were determined in the blood serum: neurofilament heavy chains (NEFH), S100 A6 protein, S100 B protein, β-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ1-42), microfilament associated tau protein (MAPt), serum amyloid P (SAP), and neuroplasticity: neurotrophin 3 (NT3), neurotrophin 4 (NT4). The study was performed thrice in the acute period of the disease at the time of admission to the hospital and at 6 and 12 months after discharge.

RESULTS: In the first group of patients, in the acute period of coronavirus infection, women showed higher concentrations of S100 A6 (3.2±0.2), S100 B (0.4±0.06), NT3 (1.1±0.1), and MAPt (0.13±0.02), while the values for the men were NEFH (0.15±0.03), Aβ1-42 (2.1±0.1), and SAP (4.5±0.06). In the long-term, a general tendency of long persistence of high levels of the markers of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection was noted in young men compared to women, indicating a long period of rehabilitation. After 12 months, the level of calcium-binding proteins S100 A6 and S100 B in men was 1.5±0.2 pg/mL and 0.3±0.04 ng/mL, which was 1.1±0.1 pg/mL and 0.2±0.04 ng/mL, respectively, in women. The level of SAP in men during the long-term period after 12 months was 4.3±0.1 versus 3.9±0.2 ng/mL in women, indicating a significant difference.

Analyses of the results for the patients in the second group indicated a higher level of S100 A6 and Aβ1-42 in the acute period for women, while men showed higher levels of S100 B, NT3, and SAP.

CONCLUSION: The changes in patients with coronavirus infection both in the acute and late periods indicated active neurodegeneration processes in different age groups, which manifested as a result of an increase in the concentration of specific proteins in the blood serum.

Keywords

coronavirus infection / neurodegeneration / neuroplasticity / COVID-19

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