Research to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of ARDS risk in COVID-19

COVID-19 patients can develop severe and uncontrolled inflammation causing a dysfunctional inflammatory state, characterized by organ damage with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a common denominator. Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes, as components of metabolic syndrome, seem to play an important role in the development of a more severe form of COVID-19.

Published

2021-10-01

Updated

2022-01-18

Apart from the clinical link that metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for COVID-19, mechanistic information on the association between this syndrome and COVID-19 is lacking. However, there is a well-known link between high levels of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and the metabolic syndrome. We have made the unexpected but significant discovery that the SARS CoV-2 extracellular protein, Spike protein, interacts with LPS, leading to a greatly enhanced and harmful inflammatory response.

The project aims to investigate the interaction between Spike protein and LPS and the effects on inflammation. For this we will use advanced in silico models, biophysical and biochemical methods in combination with studies in cell systems, human blood and animal models.

The project will provide insights into the role of bacteria and endotoxins in the onset of ARDS in COVID-19, and may provide new opportunities for the early diagnosis and treatment of patients at risk of ARDS in COVID-19. The results will be generalizable and apply to ARDS in case of infection, not only with mutated SARS-CoV-2, but also with other coronaviruses.

Artur Schmidtchen, Lund University

Research projects
Studies on SARS CoV-2 Spike protein and its effect on inflammation

Artur Schmidtchen
Professor at Lund University, Department of Clinical Sciences