Do Circulating Histones Represent the Missing Link among COVID-19 Infection and Multiorgan Injuries, Microvascular Coagulopathy and Systemic Hyperinflammation?

Several studies shed light on the interplay among inflammation, thrombosis, multi-organ failures and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Increasing levels of both free and/or circulating histones have been associated to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), enhancing the risk of heart attack and stroke with coagulopathy and systemic hyperinflammation. In this view, by considering both the biological and clinical rationale, circulating histones may be relevant as diagnostic biomarkers for stratifying COVID-19 patients at higher risk for viral sepsis, and as predictive laboratory medicine tool for targeted therapies.

Automated summary

Several studies have shown the relationship between inflammation, thrombosis, multi-organ failures, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Increased levels of histones have been associated with COVID-19, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, histones can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for COVID-19 and as predictive laboratory tools for targeted therapies.