Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) in vascular inflammatory diseases.

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) also known as amino oxidase copper containing 3 (AOC3) is a pro-inflammatory and versatile molecule with adhesive and enzymatic properties. VAP-1 is a primary amine oxidase belonging to the semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) family, which catalyzes the oxidation of primary amines leading to the production of ammonium, formaldehyde, methylglyoxal, and hydrogen peroxide. VAP-1 is mainly expressed by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, adipocytes and pericytes. It is involved in a repertoire of biological functions, e.g., immune cell extravasation, angiogenesis, and vascularization. Research into VAP-1 has intensified within the last decade on its role as a novel clinical biomarker and as a potential therapeutic target of vascular inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis, stroke, diabetes, neurovascular disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease), hepatic disease (e.g., non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), and skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis). This is the most up-to-date and comprehensive review on VAP-1 focusing on the translational aspects of VAP-1. Compared to recent reviews, our review provides novel insights on VAP-1 and heart failure, stroke and frailty, diabetes, endometriosis, osteoarthritis, COVID-19, conjunctivitis associated systemic lupus erythematosus, hematopoietic stem cells, gliomas, treatment of colorectal cancer with a novel VAP-1 inhibitor (U-V269), promoting recovery of motor functions and habit learning with a novel VAP-1 inhibitor (PXS-4681A), and 68Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9, a labelled peptide of Siglec-9 (a VAP-1 ligand), which appears to be a safe PET tracer for inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, we present the emerging role of VAP-1 in pregnancy as a gatekeeper of immune cells, which are critical for spiral arterial remodeling, the deficiency of which could lead to vascular disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia. Future research should prioritize clinical trials on VAP-1 small-molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, thus, maximizing the potential of VAP-1 targeted therapy as well as research into sVAP-1 as a clinical biomarker of diseases and its prognosis.

Effects of oxygen saturation on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, subfatin, asprosin, irisin, c-reactive protein, maresin-1, and diamine oxidase in diabetic patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Oxygen is essential for living organisms that perform aerobic respiration since cells begin to die when humans and animals are deprived of oxygen. Oxygen saturation decreases and shortness of breath occurs in coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the changes in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), subfatin, asprosin, irisin, C-reactive protein (C-RP), Maresin-1 (MaR-1), and diamine oxidase (DAO) molecules in diabetic patients with coronavirus according to their oxygen saturations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were classified into 4 Groups of 22, including patients with oxygen saturation between 95% and 100% (Group I, control), between 80% and 85% (Group II), between 75% and 79% (Group III), and between 70% and 74% (Group IV). COVID-19 was diagnosed with PCR testing and 5 mL of blood was taken following the diagnosis. HIF-1α, subfatin, asprosin, irisin, MaR-1, and DAO values of the participants were measured with ELISA. Other parameters used in the study were obtained from the records of the patients. RESULTS: When Group I was compared to Groups II, there was no significant change in Group II while HIF-1α, subfatin, asprosin, irisin, C-RP, and DAO counts had increased significantly in Groups III and IV. When the MaR-1 values were examined, they were reported to have decreased significantly in Groups III and IV (p < 0.05). Similarly, when Group II and Group IV were compared, HIF-1α, subfatin, asprosin, irisin, C-RP, and DAO values of the participants in Group IV had significantly increased while MaR-1 values had significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In the case of oxygen saturation decreasing below the critical value (70-74%) in patients with coronavirus, the release of HIF-1HIF-1α, subfatin, asprosin, irisin, C-RP, and DAO increased while the MaR-1 values decreased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in these molecules in patients with coronavirus and diabetes according to their oxygen saturation suggested that they functioned as the "metabolic oxygen sensors" of the metabolism. Therefore, according to these data, it was predicted that these molecules had the potential to be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of diseases related to oxygen (such as asthma, and critical intensive care patients) in clinics in the future.

Elevated Expression of Serum Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecules in COVID-19 Patients.

In a retrospective study of 39 COVID-19 patients and 32 control participants in China, we collected clinical data and examined the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum levels of fractalkine, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) were elevated in patients with mild disease, dramatically elevated in severe cases, and decreased in the convalescence phase. We conclude the increased expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules is related to COVID-19 disease severity and may contribute to coagulation dysfunction.