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01-02-2021 | COVID-19

Neutrophil extracellular traps and thrombosis in COVID-19

Authors: Yu Zuo, Melanie Zuo, Srilakshmi Yalavarthi, Kelsey Gockman, Jacqueline A. Madison, Hui Shi, Wrenn Woodard, Sean P. Lezak, Njira L. Lugogo, Jason S. Knight, Yogendra Kanthi

Published in: Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Studies of patients with COVID-19 have demonstrated markedly dysregulated coagulation and a high risk of morbid arterial and venous thrombotic events. Elevated levels of blood neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have recently been described in patients with COVID-19. However, their potential role in COVID-19-associated thrombosis remains incompletely understood. In order to elucidate the potential role of hyperactive neutrophils and NET release in COVID-19-associated thrombosis, we conducted a case–control study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who developed thrombosis, as compared with gender- and age-matched COVID-19 patients without clinical thrombosis. We found that remnants of NETs (cell-free DNA, myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes, and citrullinated histone H3) and neutrophil-derived S100A8/A9 (calprotectin) in patient sera were associated with higher risk of morbid thrombotic events in spite of prophylactic anticoagulation. These observations underscore the need for urgent investigation into the potential relationship between NETs and unrelenting thrombosis in COVID-19, as well as novel approaches for thrombosis prevention.

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Title: Neutrophil extracellular traps and thrombosis in COVID-19
Authors: Yu Zuo
Melanie Zuo
Srilakshmi Yalavarthi
Kelsey Gockman
Jacqueline A. Madison
Hui Shi
Wrenn Woodard
Sean P. Lezak
Njira L. Lugogo
Jason S. Knight
Yogendra Kanthi
Publication date: 01-02-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: COVID-19
Thrombosis
Heparin
Published in: Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0929-5305
Electronic ISSN: 1573-742X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-020-02324-z

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