Post-COVID-19 patients show an increased endothelial progenitor cell production

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, has generated a global emergency situation. The endothelium is a target of SARS-CoV-2, generating endothelial dysfunction and an unbalanced vascular homeostasis. It is considered that the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) acts as an indicator of vascular damage. However, its role in SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. <b>Objective:</b> Increased production of EPCs 3-months after SARS-CoV-2 infection would indicate the presence of vascular sequelae in these patients. The aim of this study is to quantify EPCs and assess for the first time if there is a significant increase after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It will be evaluated whether there are differences in the number of EPCs in post-COVID-19 patients who have suffered an acute pulmonary embolism (PE), and it will be determined whether this increase correlates with any of the clinical parameters studied. <b>Materials and methods:</b> A total of 33 patients were recruited in the study 3-months after overcoming COVID-19 and 19 healthy controls. Of these 33 COVID-19 patients, 14 had suffered PE. EPCs were obtained from mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood, cultured with specific medium and conditions. <b>Results:</b> The results show a significant increase (p = 0.04) in the appearance of EPCs in patients 3-months post-COVID-19 compared to healthy controls. However, there were no differences in the number of EPCs in COVID-19 patients depending on whether or not PE was detected. Patients with high number of EPCs showed high levels of hemoglobin and troponin, but they did not show a relationship with any other parameter studied. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results obtained confirm the presence&nbsp;of vascular sequelae&nbsp;in post-COVID-19&nbsp;patients.