Fibrinogen, Fibrin, and Fibrin Degradation Products in COVID-19

Title:Fibrinogen, Fibrin, and Fibrin Degradation Products in COVID-19

Volume: 23 Issue: 17

Author(s): Kadri Kangro, Alisa S. Wolberg and Matthew J. Flick*

Affiliation:

• Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

Keywords: Fibrinogen, fibrin, D-dimer, coagulation, fibrinolysis, COVID-19.

Abstract: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the highly pathogenic and highly transmissible human coronavirus that is the causative agent for the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 manifests predominantly as a respiratory illness with symptoms consistent with viral pneumonia, but other organ systems (e.g., kidney, heart, brain) can also become perturbed in COVID-19 patients. Accumulating data suggest that significant activation of the hemostatic system is a common pathological manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clotting protein fibrinogen is one of the most abundant plasma proteins. Following activation of coagulation, the central coagulation protease thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin monomers, which selfassemble to form a matrix, the primary structural component of the blood clot. Severe COVID-19 is associated with a profound perturbation of circulating fibrinogen, intra- and extravascular fibrin deposition and persistence, and fibrin degradation. Current findings suggest high levels of fibrinogen and the fibrin degradation product D-dimer are biomarkers of poor prognosis in COVID-19. Moreover, emerging studies with in vitro and animal models indicate fibrin(ogen) as an active player in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Here, we review the current literature regarding fibrin(ogen) and COVID-19, including possible pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies centered on clotting and fibrin(ogen) function.

Cite this article as:

Kangro Kadri, Wolberg S. Alisa and Flick J. Matthew*, Fibrinogen, Fibrin, and Fibrin Degradation Products in COVID-19, Current Drug Targets 2022; 23 (17) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450123666220826162900