Scientists have identified several differentially expressed proteins (DEP), which are widely distinct from other respiratory diseases, in the airway mucus samples of severe Covid-19 patients. A latest study, by a group of researchers from the Department of Respiratory and Critical care, Shaoguan First People’s Hospital, China,  provides fundamental data for developing specialised therapies to treat critical illness in Covid-19 patients rather than approaching the disease with general antivirals. The study findings reported in International Journal of Infectious Diseases, reveals that there were a total of 59 differentially expressed proteins specific to COVID-19 patients and in comparison to COPD, asthma, and controlled groups, 11 proteins were uniquely present in COVID-19 patients.  

This is the first time the proteomic profiles of COVID and COPD patients are being conducted to find fundamental data for identifying COVID-specific molecular signatures. The team said that they performed proteomic analyses on the airway mucus obtained by bronchoscopy from severe Covid-19 patients and induced sputum from COPD patients to find 445 differentially expressed proteins. The report also highlights that the findings revealed a total of 59 DEPs specific to COVID-19 patients and that there were 8 overlapping proteins in COVID-19 patients, including C9, FGB, FGG, PRTN3, HBB, HBA1, IGLV3-19, and COTL1. The researchers expressed hopes for future research in this domain which may help develop molecular targets for specialized therapy.