Roles of Vitamin-K-dependent Factors Protein S and GAS6 With TAM Receptors and HMGB1 in Pediatric COVID-19 Disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate serum high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), protein S (PS), growth arrest-specific gene 6 (GAS6), and TAM receptor (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) levels in children with COVID-19 disease.

METHODS

A prospective case-control study was conducted in our pediatric emergency department and 57 patients with SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity, 6 patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), and 17 healthy children were included. Demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory and radiologic data, the need for hospitalization, and prognosis were recorded. Serum HMGB1, PS, GAS6, and TAM receptor levels were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

RESULTS

While SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients and healthy controls were similar in terms of gender and age, GAS6 and MERTK levels were significantly lower in SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients compared with healthy controls. Among SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients, no difference was found in terms of serum markers in those with and without gastrointestinal or respiratory system symptoms. However, in patients with respiratory distress at admission, PS and TYRO3 levels were significantly lower. AXL levels were lower in patients diagnosed with MIS-C compared with healthy controls. Activated partial thromboplastin time was negatively correlated with HMGB1, PS, GAS6, and AXL levels.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that such measurements may be informative and warranted in children with COVID-19 who show evidence of coagulopathy and respiratory distress. Further studies are needed to clarify the roles of these markers in diagnosis, to predict clinical severity, and to evaluate their roles in treatment approaches for COVID-19 disease.