Fibrin drives thromboinflammation and neuropathology in COVID-19
Author:
Ryu Jae KyuORCID, Yan ZhaoqiORCID, Montano MauricioORCID, Sozmen Elif G., Dixit KarunaORCID, Suryawanshi Rahul K.ORCID, Matsui YusukeORCID, Helmy Ekram, Kaushal Prashant, Makanani Sara K., Deerinck Thomas J., Meyer-Franke Anke, Rios Coronado Pamela E., Trevino Troy N., Shin Min-Gyoung, Tognatta ReshmiORCID, Liu YixinORCID, Schuck Renaud, Le LucasORCID, Miyajima Hisao, Mendiola Andrew S.ORCID, Arun Nikhita, Guo Brandon, Taha Taha Y.ORCID, Agrawal AyushiORCID, MacDonald Eilidh, Aries Oliver, Yan Aaron, Weaver Olivia, Petersen Mark A.ORCID, Meza Acevedo Rosa, Alzamora Maria del Pilar S.ORCID, Thomas Reuben, Traglia Michela, Kouznetsova Valentina L., Tsigelny Igor F., Pico Alexander R.ORCID, Red-Horse KristyORCID, Ellisman Mark H.ORCID, Krogan Nevan J., Bouhaddou Mehdi, Ott MelanieORCID, Greene Warner C.ORCID, Akassoglou KaterinaORCID
Abstract
AbstractLife-threatening thrombotic events and neurological symptoms are prevalent in COVID-19 and are persistent in patients with long COVID experiencing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection1–4. Despite the clinical evidence1,5–7, the underlying mechanisms of coagulopathy in COVID-19 and its consequences in inflammation and neuropathology remain poorly understood and treatment options are insufficient. Fibrinogen, the central structural component of blood clots, is abundantly deposited in the lungs and brains of patients with COVID-19, correlates with disease severity and is a predictive biomarker for post-COVID-19 cognitive deficits1,5,8–10. Here we show that fibrin binds to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, forming proinflammatory blood clots that drive systemic thromboinflammation and neuropathology in COVID-19. Fibrin, acting through its inflammatory domain, is required for oxidative stress and macrophage activation in the lungs, whereas it suppresses natural killer cells, after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fibrin promotes neuroinflammation and neuronal loss after infection, as well as innate immune activation in the brain and lungs independently of active infection. A monoclonal antibody targeting the inflammatory fibrin domain provides protection from microglial activation and neuronal injury, as well as from thromboinflammation in the lung after infection. Thus, fibrin drives inflammation and neuropathology in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and fibrin-targeting immunotherapy may represent a therapeutic intervention for patients with acute COVID-19 and long COVID.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference80 articles.
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