IP-10, MIP1α, IL-6, and IL-1β as Biomarkers Associated with Disease Severity of COVID-19

Background: The factors responsible for the progression of COVID-19 from a mild illness to a severe and often lethal condition, characterized by respiratory failure and multiple organ involvement, remain unclear. The identification of biomarkers capable of predicting disease progression is of the highest importance. Objectives: This study sought to assess laboratory measurements of interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10), macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) to achieve this objective. Methods: We measured IP-10 and MIP1α by qRT-PCR and IL-6 and IL-1β using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 120 serum samples. We analyzed differences between patients with moderate, severe, and recovered COVID-19. Results: The number of positive cases for biomarkers IP-10, MIP1α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly different between groups. The expression levels of IP-10 and MIP1α were significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19 compared to those who had recovered. A strong positive association was observed between IP-10 and MIP1α in severe infection cases. Additionally, these biomarkers were relatively independent predictors of disease severity. Conclusions: The results suggest that IP-10, MIP1α, IL-6, and IL-1β are promising research candidates for understanding the severity of COVID-19 and for investigating possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease.