tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol
. 2023 Feb 3.
doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00154.2022. Online ahead of print.
Inhibition of IL-6 signaling prevents serum-induced umbilical cord artery dysfunction from severe COVID-19 patients
Cellyne R Almeida[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Júlia F Lima[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mirele R Machado[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Juliano V Alves[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ariel E S Couto[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ligia C B Campos[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Carolina D'Avila-Mesquita[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Maria Auxiliadora-Martins[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Christiane Becari[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Paulo Louzada-Júnior[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Rita C Tostes[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Núbia S Lobato[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Rafael M Costa[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has a negative impact on the cytokine profile of pregnant women. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines seem to be correlated with the severity of the disease, in addition to predisposing to miscarriage or premature birth. Pro-inflammatory cytokines increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is unclear how interleukin-6 (IL-6) found in the circulation of severe COVID-19 patients might affect gestational health, particularly concerning umbilical cord function. This study tested the hypothesis that IL-6 present in the circulation of women with severe COVID-19 causes umbilical cord artery dysfunction by increasing ROS generation and activating redox-sensitive proteins. Umbilical cord arteries were incubated with serum from healthy women and women with severe COVID-19. Vascular function was assessed using concentration-effect curves to serotonin in the presence or absence of pharmacological agents, such as tocilizumab (antibody against the IL-6 receptor), tiron (ROS scavenger), ML171 (Nox1 inhibitor), and Y27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor). ROS generation was assessed by the dihydroethidine probe and Rho kinase activity by an enzymatic assay. Umbilical arteries exposed to serum from women with severe COVID-19 were hyperreactive to serotonin. This effect was abolished in the presence of tocilizumab, tiron, ML171, and Y27632. In addition, serum from women with severe COVID-19 increased Nox1-dependent ROS generation and Rho kinase activity. Increased Rho kinase activity was abolished by tocilizumab and tiron. Serum cytokines in women with severe COVID-19 promote umbilical artery dysfunction. IL-6 is key to Nox-linked vascular oxidative stress and activation of the Rho kinase pathway.
Keywords: COVID-19; IL-6; Nox 1; ROS; Umbilical cord arteries.
. 2023 Feb 3.
doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00154.2022. Online ahead of print.
Inhibition of IL-6 signaling prevents serum-induced umbilical cord artery dysfunction from severe COVID-19 patients
Cellyne R Almeida[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Júlia F Lima[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mirele R Machado[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Juliano V Alves[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ariel E S Couto[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ligia C B Campos[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Carolina D'Avila-Mesquita[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Maria Auxiliadora-Martins[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Christiane Becari[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Paulo Louzada-Júnior[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Rita C Tostes[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Núbia S Lobato[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Rafael M Costa[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36737252
- DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00154.2022
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has a negative impact on the cytokine profile of pregnant women. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines seem to be correlated with the severity of the disease, in addition to predisposing to miscarriage or premature birth. Pro-inflammatory cytokines increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is unclear how interleukin-6 (IL-6) found in the circulation of severe COVID-19 patients might affect gestational health, particularly concerning umbilical cord function. This study tested the hypothesis that IL-6 present in the circulation of women with severe COVID-19 causes umbilical cord artery dysfunction by increasing ROS generation and activating redox-sensitive proteins. Umbilical cord arteries were incubated with serum from healthy women and women with severe COVID-19. Vascular function was assessed using concentration-effect curves to serotonin in the presence or absence of pharmacological agents, such as tocilizumab (antibody against the IL-6 receptor), tiron (ROS scavenger), ML171 (Nox1 inhibitor), and Y27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor). ROS generation was assessed by the dihydroethidine probe and Rho kinase activity by an enzymatic assay. Umbilical arteries exposed to serum from women with severe COVID-19 were hyperreactive to serotonin. This effect was abolished in the presence of tocilizumab, tiron, ML171, and Y27632. In addition, serum from women with severe COVID-19 increased Nox1-dependent ROS generation and Rho kinase activity. Increased Rho kinase activity was abolished by tocilizumab and tiron. Serum cytokines in women with severe COVID-19 promote umbilical artery dysfunction. IL-6 is key to Nox-linked vascular oxidative stress and activation of the Rho kinase pathway.
Keywords: COVID-19; IL-6; Nox 1; ROS; Umbilical cord arteries.