Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 26, 2025 21 hours, 19 minutes ago
Medical News: A Promising Breakthrough in Long COVID-19 Management
A recent study offers a ray of hope for patients struggling with COVID-19 and the persistent symptoms known as long COVID. Researchers from Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, conducted a groundbreaking investigation on polymerized type I collagen (PTIC). Their findings suggest this innovative treatment could play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and improving recovery for COVID-19 patients. The study highlights how PTIC interacts with immune cells, resulting in significant improvements in symptoms and immune response regulation.
PTIC regulates STAT1 phosphorylation through LAIR1 in M1 and favors polarization towards M2. (A) Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR1 or CD305) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein that contains one extracellular Ig-like domain and two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) in its intracellular domain. LAIR1 is expressed in most hematopoietic lineages, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and many T and B cell populations. Its extracellular domain binds to glycine–proline–hydroxyproline collagen repeats, and its ITIMs recruit the phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2. Collagens, C1q, MBL, surface protein-D (SP-D), Rifins, and Colec12 have been reported as ligands for LAIR1. It downregulates T, B, and natural killer (NK) cell functions by the recruitment of the SHP1 and SHP2 phosphatases. (B) The pre-polarized (M0) macrophage subsets challenge LPS/IFN-γ and induce polarization to M1. The human monocytic cell line THP-1 expresses high levels of LAIR1. (C) LAIR1 binding type I collagen regulates the immune system balance and protects against tissue damage against a hyperactive immune response or autoimmune dysfunction through SHP1, SHP2, CSK, and pSTAT1 intracellular signaling. (D) Polymerized type I collagen induces the downregulation of the phosphorylation of STAT1 in M1 and promotes polarization to M2. The arrow pointing downwards means downregulation. The arrow pointing upwards means upregulation. The horizontal arrow means polarization.
This
Medical News report delves into the study’s methods and results, explaining how PTIC could address hyperinflammation associated with COVID-19 and long COVID. The research, which examined the molecular mechanisms of PTIC and its effects on immune cells, marks an important step forward in the fight against this global health challenge.
What Is Polymerized Type I Collagen?
PTIC is a unique compound derived from porcine type I collagen and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Unlike regular collagen, PTIC undergoes a chemical modification that enhances its immunomodulatory properties. Previous studies have shown that PTIC can reduce inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Researchers aimed to explore whether these properties could extend to COVID-19 patients, particularly those experiencing severe inflammation and prolonged symptoms.
How the Study Was Conducted
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The research involved multiple experimental phases. Laboratory tests focused on the interaction between PTIC and leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR-1), a receptor found on immune cells. This receptor plays a role in regulating inflammation by binding to collagen.
In clinical settings, the researchers enrolled 40 non-hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Participants were divided into two groups: one received intramuscular PTIC, and the other received a placebo. Over a 90-day period, the researchers monitored various health indicators, including immune cell activity, cytokine levels, and symptom severity.
Key Findings: A Closer Look
Immune Modulation through LAIR-1
The study revealed that PTIC binds to the LAIR-1 receptor with high affinity, similar to natural collagen. This binding significantly reduced the activity of proinflammatory immune cells (M1 macrophages) while promoting anti-inflammatory cells (M2 macrophages). Such modulation is critical for controlling excessive inflammation and supporting tissue repair.
Reduction in Inflammatory Cytokines
Patients treated with PTIC showed a marked decrease in proinflammatory cytokines, including IP-10, IL-8, and IL-1RA. These molecules are typically elevated in severe COVID-19 cases and contribute to the hyperinflammatory state that can cause long-term complications. Additionally, PTIC treatment increased levels of anti-inflammatory markers such as IL-10 and regulatory T cells.
Improved Oxygen Saturation
Oxygen saturation levels improved more rapidly in the PTIC group compared to the placebo group. By day 8 of treatment, 90% of PTIC-treated patients achieved oxygen saturation levels above 92%, compared to 70% in the placebo group. This improvement persisted over the 90-day observation period.
Symptom Relief and Faster Recovery
PTIC treatment significantly reduced the duration of key symptoms, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and chronic fatigue. On average, patients in the PTIC group experienced symptom resolution 6.1 days faster than those in the placebo group.
Enhanced Recovery of Monocytes
The study identified notable changes in monocyte subsets - a type of immune cell - among PTIC-treated patients. Proinflammatory monocytes (Mo1) decreased significantly, while anti-inflammatory monocytes (Mo2) increased. This shift supports a healthier immune response and reduces long-term inflammation.
The Significance of LAIR-1 Activation
The interaction between PTIC and LAIR-1 emerged as a pivotal mechanism in the study. LAIR-1 is known to regulate immune responses, and its activation by PTIC led to decreased phosphorylation of STAT1, a protein involved in inflammation. By dampening STAT1 activity, PTIC effectively reduced the inflammatory signals that drive severe COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms. This molecular insight underscores the therapeutic potential of PTIC for other inflammatory diseases as well.
Safety and Tolerability
The study reported no serious adverse effects associated with PTIC treatment. Mild pain at the injection site was the most common side effect, lasting only 15 to 20 minutes. One patient experienced a localized rash, which resolved quickly. Overall, PTIC was well-tolerated, with no significant differences in adverse events compared to the placebo group.
Conclusion: A New Avenue for Long COVID-19 Treatment
The findings from this study highlight the promise of polymerized type I collagen as a novel treatment for COVID-19 and long COVID. By targeting the immune system’s inflammatory pathways, PTIC not only alleviates acute symptoms but also addresses the lingering effects that plague long COVID sufferers. Its dual action of reducing harmful inflammation and promoting tissue repair sets it apart from conventional treatments.
Looking ahead, these results open the door to further research on PTIC’s applications in other inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and autoimmune diseases. The study underscores the importance of targeting immune cell regulation as a strategy for managing complex diseases. For patients and healthcare providers, PTIC represents a hopeful step toward more effective and comprehensive care for COVID-19.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/3/1018
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