Serum AXL is a potential molecular marker for predicting COVID-19 progression

Background: The severity, symptoms, and outcome of COVID-19 is thought to be closely linked to how the virus enters host cells. This process involves the key roles of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the Tyrosine protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL) receptors. However, there is limited research on the circulating levels of ACE2 and AXL and their implications in COVID-19. Methods: A control group of 71 uninfected individuals was also included in the study. According to the Guidance for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (10th edition), a cohort of 358 COVID-19 patients were categorized into non-severe and severe cases. Serum ACE2/AXL levels in COVID-19 patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at different time points post-COVID-19 infection, including days 0-7, 8-15, 31-179 and >180 days. Serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies in COVID-19 patients at the same intervals were assessed by using an iFlash 3000 Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic value of the biological markers, and the association between laboratory parameters and illness progression were explored. Results: Compared with the uninfected group, the levels of ACE2 and AXL in the COVID-19 group were decreased, and the SARS-COV-2 IgG level was increased. AXL (AUC = 0.774) demonstrated a stronger predictive ability for COVID-19 than ACE2. In the first week after infection, only the level of AXL was statistically different between severe group and non-severe group. After first week, the levels of ACE2 and AXL were different in two groups. Moreover, in severe COVID-19 cases, the serum ACE2, AXL, and SARS-COV-2 IgM levels reached a peak during days 8-15 before declining, whereas serum SARS-COV-2 IgG levels continued to rise, reaching a peak at day 31-180 days before decreasing. In addition, the AXL level continued to decrease and the SARS-COV-2 IgG level continued to increase in the infected group after 180 days compared to the uninfected group. Conclusions: The levels of serum ACE2 and AXL correlate with COVID-19 severity. However, AXL can also provide early warning of clinical deterioration in the first week after infection. AXL appears to be a superior potential molecular marker for predicting COVID-19 progression.