The assessment of the serum levels of TWEAK and prostaglandin F2? in COVID - 19

BACKGROUND/AIM: It is claimed that aberrant immune response has a more important role than the cytopathic effect of the virus in the morbidity and mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID - 19) We aimed to investigate the possible roles of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) / Fn14 pathway and leukotrienes (LT) in uncontrolled immune response that occurs in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV - 2) MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 25 asymptomatic patients and 35 patients with lung involvement who were diagnosed with COVID - 19 as well as 22 healthy volunteer Lung involvement was determined using computed-tomography Serum TWEAK, LTE4, and prostaglandin F2? (PGF2?) levels were determined RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2? levels were higher in the group of SARS - CoV - 2 infection without lung involvement In the group of SARS - CoV - 2 infection with lung involvement, age, fibrinogen, sedimentation, C - reactive protein and ferritin, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2? levels were higher, and lymphocyte levels were lower compared with the asymptomatic group CONCLUSIONS: In the study, TWEAK and LTE4 levels increased in cases with COVID -19 These results support that TWEAK / Fn14 pathway and LT may involved in the pathology of aberrant immune response against SARS - CoV - 2 Inhibition of each of these pathways may be a potential target in the treatment of COVID - 19