Preliminary investigation of gene expression levels of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1α in SARS-Cov-2 infected patients

Abstract

Background Coronavirus-19 is still considered a pandemic that influences the world. Other molecular alterations should be clearer besides the increasing cytokine storm and pro-inflammatory molecules. Hypoxic conditions that induce HIF-1 alpha lead to stimulate gene expression of STC-2 that targets PAPP-A expression. This study aimed to determine gene expression levels of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1 alpha in COVID-19 infection. We also aimed to reveal the relationship of these genes with laboratory and clinical data of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Results We extracted RNA from peripheral blood samples of COVID-19(+) and COVID-19(-) individuals. The real-time PCR method was used to measure mRNA expression of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1 alpha. Gene expression analysis was evaluated by the 2(-Delta Delta Ct) method. PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1 alpha mRNA expressions of severe patients were higher than healthy individuals (p = 0.0451, p= 0.4466, p < 0.0001, respectively). Correlation analysis of gene expression patterns of severe patients demonstrated a positive correlation between PAPP-A and STC-2 (p <0.0001, r= 0.8638). Conclusion This is the first study that investigates the relation of PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1 alpha gene expression in patients with COVID-19 infection. Besides the routine laboratory findings, PAPP-A, STC-2, and HIF-1 alpha mRNA expressions may be considered to patients' prognosis as a sign of increased cytokines and pro-inflammatory molecules.