Inflammatory drivers of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19

Complete

04/03/2021

Blood vessels

Scotland

Target validation

Awarded amount: £133,693

Grant scheme: Covid

Institution: University of Dundee

Principle Investigator: Prof Faisel Khan

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Whilst COVID-19 predominantly impacts the lungs, it has also been demonstrated to contribute to widespread inflammation which can harm other organs.

This project aimed to explore the effect of COVID on blood vessel function.

The team found that people who were admitted to hospital with COVID experienced a greater decline in their blood vessel function as compared to patients with COVID who did not need to be admitted to hospital.

The underlying reasons for this difference were then investigated. One link came from people who had underlying conditions, such as being overweight or obese, or having type 2 diabetes. Another potential reason for the difference in blood vessel function was found to be the levels of inflammatory proteins, known as neutrophils, in the blood.

In follow ups with patients, it was found that this inflammation persisted even after the infection, contributing to continued dysfunction of the blood vessels.

This provides significant insight into both different severities of COVID infection but also the reason for long term impacts after infection. This increased understanding will allow for the development of potential treatments and preventative measures to protect blood vessel function in COVID-19.

A publication for this study is currently in preparation. The results are already being incorporated into several other studies exploring the effects of COVID on the heart and blood vessels, and this team is hoping to progress into exploring the relationship between COVID and the development of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephelomyelitis.