Fereshteh Ebrahimi - Dept. of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Mohsen Salehi - Dept. of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Shahram Arsang-Jang - Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Akbar Mohammadzadeh - Dept. of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Background and Objective: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have garnered significant interest as a potential host factor in COVID-۱۹. By exerting control over HSP levels, the invading virus can effectively manipulate the destiny of host cells, capitalizing on their essential roles in cellular pathways and viral life cycles. Within this investigation, we present novel findings elucidating the variations in HSP۲۷ protein and mRNA expression between patients exhibiting mild symptoms and those manifesting moderate-to-severe symptoms of COVID-۱۹, juxtaposed against a control cohort. Materials and Methods: A total of ۱۰۲ patient samples were included in the study, comprising ۵۴ individuals with moderate-to-severe COVID-۱۹ symptoms and ۴۸ with mild symptoms. Additionally, ۴۲ samples from healthy individuals constituted the control group. HSP۲۷ protein levels were quantified using ELISA, while the transcript content was assessed using Real-Time PCR. Results: Our initial findings revealed a statistically significant reduction in serum HSP۲۷ levels among patients displaying mild COVID-۱۹ symptoms when compared to the control group (P< ۰.۰۵). Nonetheless, this disparity did not achieve statistical significance in patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms. In contrast, the transcriptomic profile of HSP۲۷ exhibited striking similarity across all groups, including mild, moderate-to-severe, and controls (P=۰.۲۵ and P=۰.۵۶, respectively). Conclusion: The present study, to date, is the first to investigate HSP۲۷ gene expression levels in COVID-۱۹ patients. Conducting further studies on HSP۲۷ is of considerable help to clarify the importance of this molecule in SARS-CoV-۲ infection.

COVID-۱۹, HSP۲۷, Immune System, SARS-CoV-۲