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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.07.20.213082

Discovery of potential imaging and therapeutic targets for severe inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Lee, H.·Im, H.-J.·Na, K. J.·Choi, H.
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 540,000 deaths globally. Hyperinflammation mediated by dysregulated monocyte/macrophage function is considered to be the key factor that triggers severe illness in COVID-19. However, no specific targeting molecule has been identified for detecting or treating hyperinflammation related to dysregulated macrophages in severe COVID-19. Herein, we suggest candidate targets for imaging and therapy in severe COVID-19 by analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data based on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients. We found that expression of SLC2A3, which can be imaged by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, was higher in macrophages from severe COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, by integrating the surface target database and drug-target binding database with RNA-sequencing data of severe COVID-19, we identified CCR1 and FPR1 as surface and druggable targets for drug delivery as well as molecular imaging. Our results provide a resource for candidate targets in the development of specific imaging and therapy for COVID-19-related hyperinflammation.

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Lee, H., Im, H.-J., Na, K. J., Choi, H.. 2020-07-21. Discovery of potential imaging and therapeutic targets for severe inflammation in COVID-19 patients. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.20.213082

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