Identification of GRB10 Expression as a Novel Blood Biomarker for Prognosis of COVID-19 Severity

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems, demanding a convenient and effective biomarker for severity prediction. Recent studies have reported a bidirectional relationship between COVID-19 severity and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, suggesting that a diabetes-regulating gene may play a crucial role in controlling the disease. This study examines the potential of GRB10, a protein that negatively regulates insulin signals, as a biomarker for COVID-19 severity. Data from 126 blood samples of COVID-19 patients were analyzed to assess the relationship between GRB10 gene expression and the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. The results demonstrate significantly higher levels of GRB10 gene expression in patients who were admitted to ICU and required mechanical ventilation. High expression of GRB10 was also shown to be a good indicator for COVID-19 severity, with high specificity and robust association with increased risk of respiratory support requirement. Additionally, GRB10 was found to be an independent predictor of complicated outcomes in COVID-19 patients. These findings support that GRB10 could serve as a strong and reliable biomarker for COVID-19 severity and contribute to our understanding of COVID-19 progression and its association with diabetes mellitus.