Levels of Soluble CD14 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors 1 and 2 May Be Predictive of Death in Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019.

People infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 display a wide range of illness, from asymptomatic infection to severe respiratory distress resulting in death. We measured serum biomarkers in uninfected individuals and in individuals with mild, moderate, or critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. Levels of monocyte activation (soluble CD14 and fatty acid-binding protein 4) and inflammation (tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2 [TNFR1 and TNFR2]) were increased in COVID-19 individuals, regardless of disease severity.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa induction of apoptosis in respiratory epithelial cells: analysis of the effects of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator dysfunction and bacterial virulence factors.

Airway epithelial cells can respond to infection by activating several signaling pathways. We examined the induction of apoptosis in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in normal cells and several cystic fibrosis (CF) and corrected cell lines. Epithelial cells in monolayers with tight junctions, confirmed by apical ZO-1 staining demonstrated by confocal microscopy, were entirely resistant to PAO1-induced apoptosis.