Components of the
complement system and atypical parameters of coagulation were reported in
COVID-19 patients, as well as the exacerbation of the
inflammation and coagulation activity.
Mannose binding lectin (
MBL)- associated serine proteases (
MASPs) play an important role in viral recognition and subsequent activation of the
lectin pathway of the
complement system and blood coagulation, connecting both processes. Genetic variants of MASP1 and MASP2 genes are further associated with different levels and functional efficiency of their encoded
proteins, modulating susceptibility and severity to diseases. Our review highlights the possible role of
MASPs in SARS-COV-2 binding and activation of the
lectin pathway and blood coagulation cascades, as well as their associations with comorbidities of
COVID-19. MASP-1 and/or MASP-2 present an increased expression in patients with
COVID-19 risk factors: diabetes, arterial
hypertension and
cardiovascular disease,
chronic kidney disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and
cerebrovascular disease. Based also on the positive results of
COVID-19 patients with anti-MASP-2 antibody, we propose the use of
MASPs as a possible
biomarker of the progression of
COVID-19 and the investigation of new treatment strategies taking into consideration the dual role of
MASPs, including
MASP inhibitors as promising therapeutic targets against
COVID-19.