A state of immunothrombosis has been reported in COVID-19. Platelets actively participate in this process. However, little is known about the ability of SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins to induce platelet ...activity. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was incubated with spike full-length protein and the RBD domain in independent assays. We evaluated platelet activation through the expression of P-selectin and activation of glicoprotein IIbIIIa (GP IIbIIIa), determined by flow cytometry and the ability of the proteins to induce platelet aggregation. We determined concentrations of immunothrombotic biomarkers in PRP supernatant treated with the proteins. We determined that the spike full-length proteins and the RBD domain induced an increase in P-selectin expression and GP IIbIIIa activation (p < 0.0001). We observed that the proteins did not induce platelet aggregation, but favored a pro-aggregating state that, in response to minimal doses of collagen, could re-establish the process (p < 0.0001). On the other hand, the viral proteins stimulated the release of interleukin 6, interleukin 8, P-selectin and the soluble fraction of CD40 ligand (sCD40L), molecules that favor an inflammatory state p < 0.05. These results indicate that the spike full-length protein and its RBD domain can induce platelet activation favoring an inflammatory phenotype that might contribute to the development of an immunothrombotic state.
The UN General Assembly in Sep 2021 will bring countries together at a critical time for marshalling collective action to tackle the global environmental crisis. They will meet again at the ...biodiversity summit in Kunming, China, and the climate change conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK. Ahead of these pivotal meetings, editors of health journals worldwide - call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees C, halt the destruction of nature and protect health. Health is already being harmed by global temperature increases and the destruction of the natural world, a state of affairs health professionals have been bringing attention to for decades. The science is unequivocal; a global increase of 1.5 degrees C above the preindustrial average and the continued loss of biodiversity risk catastrophic harm to health that will be impossible to reverse. Despite the world's necessary preoccupation with COVID-19, we cannot wait for the pandemic to pass to rapidly reduce emissions.
Competing interests: I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: FG serves on the executive committee for the UK Health Alliance on ...Climate Change and is a Trustee of the Eden Project. Ahead of these pivotal meetings, we—the editors of health journals worldwide—call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5°C, halt the destruction of nature, and protect health. Health is already being harmed by global temperature increases and the destruction of the natural world, a state of affairs health professionals have been bringing attention to for decades 1. Higher temperatures have brought increased dehydration and renal function loss, dermatological malignancies, tropical infections, adverse mental health outcomes, pregnancy complications, allergies, and cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity and mortality 5,6.
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