High expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE-2), transmembrane protease serine (TMPRSS), and P-selectin in platelets lead to thrombosis formation in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to see if the presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS), and P-selectin in platelets increases the risk of thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the COVID-19 isolation center between January and September 2021 and comprised 61 COVID-19-infected patients, 21 of whom were in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 40 of whom were non-ICU patients (non-ICUP) in the isolation center. The coagulation profile, as well as the ACE-2, TMPRES, and P-selectin receptors, were all assessed in addition to the complete blood count (CBC). A questionnaire was also utilized to collect social and demographic data. RESULTS: All platelet indices and coagulation profiles were significantly altered in COVID-19 ICUP and non-ICUP in this research; additionally, there is a significant association between the presence of ACE-2, P-selectin, and TMPRRS2 in COVID-19 patients with coagulation profile and platelet indices leading to hypercoagulable state. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the interaction of ACE-2, TMPRSS, and P-selectin in platelets appears to be a key element contributing to COVID-19 severity via their impact on thrombus development. Further investigation into these pathways may provide possible treatment targets for reducing the severe consequences of the COVID-19 infection.

Correlation between smoking and downregulation of red cell CD47 as eryptosis marker.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to discover a link between cigarette smoking and decreased red cell CD47 expression. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The current cross-sectional study included 72 smokers (who had smoked 20 cigarettes per day for at least two years) and 50 nonsmokers, as well as nonsmokers who had not been exposed to smokers on a regular basis and chose to participate as controls. Due to exclusion criteria, 11 participants were removed from the study; they had various genetic, immune, and metabolic disorders, leaving only 61 healthy people in the study. A flow cytometer was used to examine CD47. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between smoking and a decrease in CD47 markers in all types of smokers in the control samples (p-value = 0.000), as well as among cigarette smokers only (p-value = 0.000), cigarette and Shisha smokers (p-value = 0.024), and cigarette and e-cigarette smokers (p-value = 0.014). Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between the appearance of the CD47 marker in healthy smokers and smokers with non-hereditary blood diseases like iron deficiency anemia and polycythemia. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that smoking significantly reduces the expression of the CD47 marker.