IL1β, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines cooperate to modulate a complicated medical condition among COVID-19 patients: case-control study

Abstract

Background: The cytokine storm is a complication related to SARS-CoV-2 infection worldwide. This study aimed to address the level of three cytokines which were interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), with different blood parameters to the formation of cytokine storm or any complication among COVID-19 patients. Method and material: A total of 104 serum samples were included for this purpose, and they were divided into three categories the healthy control group (n=30), mild COVID-19 patients (n=23), and severe cases of COVID-19 patients (n=51). The cytokine concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Serum ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also evaluated and compared with the concentration of the proinflammatory cytokines. Result: The data analysis showed a significant relationship between the serum IL-6 level with serum ferritin and CRP and the progression to the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The IL-6 level was increased in mild COVID-19 patients and was significantly elevated in severe COVID-19 patients. Patients in the severe group had significantly higher serum ferritin, CRP, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels than those in the mild and healthy groups. The IL-1β and TNF-α were not significantly different in the groups compared with the healthy control group. Conclusion: This study revealed that the proinflammatory cytokines and biochemical laboratory tests are promising biomarkers for detecting the severity of COVID-19 cases.