Genetic Regulation of Interleukin-۶ and Interleukin-۱۰ in COVID-۱۹ Infection

Background: The role and regulation mechanisms of the interleukin-۶ and ۱۰ (IL۶ and IL-۱۰) serum levels and the interaction between CD۴+ and CD۸+ lymphocytes with SARS-COV-۲ IgM and IgG in the context of COVID-۱۹ infection are not fully understood. Methods: This study was conducted on ۴۵ COVID-۱۹ patients and ۴۵ healthy individuals. The IL-۶ and IL-۱۰ promoter methylation, IL-۶ and IL-۱۰ gene expression, SARS-COV-۲ IgM, and IgG antibodies and CD۴+ and CD۸+ lymphocytes were studied by qMSP-PCR, Real-time PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry techniques, respectively. Results: The male ratio and mean age of critically ill patients’ group were significantly higher in compared to controls (P< ۰.۰۵). IL-۶ gene expression and serum levels were significantly increased in patients compared to controls (P=۰.۰۰۲, ۰.۰۰۱), but IL-۶ promoter methylation was not significantly decreased in patients (P=۰.۸۳۵). The IL-۱۰ promoter methylation and expression were not different between cases and controls (۰.۳۲۶, ۰.۴۵۵), but serum IL-۱۰ levels were higher in patients (P< ۰.۰۰۱). The CD۴+ and CD۸+ lymphocytes decreased (P< ۰.۰۰۱) and mean SARS-COV-۲ IgG increased (P=۰.۰۰۲) in the patients compared to controls. Conclusions: The COVID-۱۹ disease result in severe complications in men and elderly. The serum levels of interleukin-۶ and ۱۰ increases in COVID-۱۹ infection, and the gene expression of these two interleukins underlying in this increase. The serum levels of IL-۶, IL-۱۰ and SARS-COV-۲ IgG as well as CD۴+ and CD۸+ lymphocyte counts should be investigated to monitor patients and predict the course of disease.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Gene Expression , Interleukin-۶ (IL-۶) , Interleukin-۱۰ (IL-۱۰) , SARS-COV-۲ , Promoter Methylation.