Differential Expression and Clinical Significance of Interleukin-6 in Iraqi COVID-19 Patients

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) acting a vital role in host defense against infectious diseases and tissue injury. The epidemic SARS-CoV-2 infects humans and causes upper respiratory illness from mild to severe disease. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 was reported as a predictable biomarker for cytokine storms associated with the severity and mortality in infected patients. This research article was aimed to measure the gene expression and soluble form of IL-6 in Iraqi infected patients.

Materials and methods:  A case control study was conducted on 150 severely infected patients with SARS-CoV-2. The cases and samples were obtained from Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. In addition, 100 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The gene expression was standardized to the level of a housekeeping gene (GAPDH) and quantified by the ∆Ct value and folding (2-∆∆Ct) method and serum IL-6 was measured using ELISA techniques.

Results: A significant elevated serum levels of IL-6 in Covid-19 patients compared to controls (p<0.05). The folding change of gene expression was dramatically raised in patients.

Conclusion: Overexpression of IL-6 may play potential therapeutic approaches for the management of cytokine storms, especially those associated with sepsis and multi-organ failure.