HMGB1-TIM3-HO1: A New Pathway of Inflammation in Skin of SARS-CoV-2 Patients? A Retrospective Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Gerardo Cazzato, Anna Colagrande, Antonietta Cimmino, Gerolamo Cicco, Vincenza Sara Scarcella, Paola Tarantino, Lucia Lospalluti, Paolo Romita, Caterina Foti, Aurora Demarco, Sara Sablone, Pragnell Maria Victoria Candance, Sebastiano Cicco, Teresa Lettini, Giuseppe Ingravallo, Leonardo Resta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Biomolecules
• Subjects: HMGB1; TIM-3; HO-1; SARS-CoV-2; skin
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1219

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has completely disrupted the health systems of the entire planet. From the earliest months, it became increasingly clear that in addition to affecting the upper airways and lungs, there were other organs that could be affected. Among these, the skin became a real “sentinel signal” to be able to even suspect COVID-19. <i>Background</i>: this study deals with a little-explored issue for now: the study of skin immunopathology in SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects ascertained using the most reliable methods available. <i>Methods</i>: we used skin biopsy samples from SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients, studying morphology (Hematoxylin-Eosin), T lymphocyte population (CD4 and CD8), three markers such as HMGB-1, TIM-3 and HO-1 by immunohistochemistry. <i>Results</i>: although the presence of the CD4 and CD8 T population did not differ statistically significantly, we found greater activation and release of HMGB-1 in skin samples from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, greater immunolabeling for TIM-3 at the level of CD4 and CD8 and a reduced expression of Heme oxygenase 1. <i>Conclusions</i>: these results support the possibility that there is immune deregulation in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients who develop skin manifestations of various kinds.