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Evaluating Neutrophil Extracellular Traps as a therapeutic target in COVID-19 patients [Funder: MI4]

Grant number: unknown

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • Funder

    Other Funders (Canada)

  • Principal Investigator

    Jonathan D Spicer

  • Research Location

    Canada

  • Lead Research Institution

    McGill University

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Clinical characterisation and management

  • Research Subcategory

    Prognostic factors for disease severity

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    Not applicable

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Unspecified

  • Vulnerable Population

    Unspecified

  • Occupations of Interest

    Unspecified

Abstract

COVID-19 can quickly turn into a life-threatening respiratory infection. Surgeon Dr. Jonathan Spicer and his team are investigating how a category of white blood cells called neutrophils influence the severity of COVID-19 infection. Much like a spider web, when stimulated, neutrophils can release their DNA into the small blood vessels of the body forming what are called Neutrophil Extracellular Traps, known as "NETs". It is thought that COVID-19 causes massive amounts of NETs to be released in some patients and that this may be the reason why some get so sick. Dr. Spicer's team will analyze the blood of patients infected with COVID-19 to determine if the presence of NETs predicts more severe illness. If this test is proven, it could help doctors deliver NET-directed therapies to prevent patients from becoming more sick from the infection and thus, save lives.