Gulhan, Pinar YildizEroz, RecepOzturk, Cihadiye ElifYekenkurul, DilekAltinsoy, Hasan BakiBalbay, Ege GulecErcelik, Merve2025-10-112025-10-1120252045-2322https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92304-1https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/21906We aimed to evaluate the effects of both the expression and serum levels of Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) genes in patients with different degrees of cellular damage as mild, moderate, severe, and critical illness that can lead to fibrosis caused by SARS-CoV-2. Totally 45 individuals (male: 21(46.67%); female: 24(53.33%)) with COVID-19 infection were included in this study. Four groups were constituted as mild (n = 16)], moderate (n = 10), severe (n = 10), and critical (n = 9) according to the severity of the disease. Blood samples were drawn from the patients, and all of the hemograms, EGF and TGF beta 1 gene expression, and serum levels were evaluated. The mean age of individuals was 57.311 +/- 18.383 (min: 28, max: 94). Significant differences were found among the groups for PLT (chi(2) = 9.955; p = 0.019), CRP (chi(2) = 7.693; p = 0.053), Ferritin (chi(2) = 22.196; p < 0.001), D-dimer (chi(2) = 21.982; p = 0.000), LDH (chi(2) = 21.807; p < 0.001) and all these parameters (exclude PLT in severe groups) was increased depending on the severity of the disease. Additionally, significant differences were detected for EGF (chi(2) = 29.528; p < 0.001), TGFB1 (chi(2) = 28.981; p < 0.001) expression (that increased depending on the disease severity), and EGF (chi(2) = 7.84; p = 0.049), TGFB1 (chi(2) = 17.451; p = 0.001) serum concentration levels (that decreased depending on the disease severity). This study found statistically significant differences for both EGF 2(-Delta Delta Ct). TGF beta 1 2(-Delta Delta Ct) and EGF, TGF beta 1 serum concentration values among all patient groups. As disease severity increased, EGF 2(-Delta Delta Ct). TGF beta 1 2(-Delta Delta Ct) levels increased, while EGF and TGF beta 1 serum concentration levels decreased. Perhaps this study will be useful in managing COVID-19 infection severity and pulmonary fibrosis cases secondary to COVID-19.en10.1038/s41598-025-92304-1info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCellular damageEpidermal growth factor& Idot;nfectionPulmonary fibrosisSARS-CoV-2Transforming growth factor-beta 1Article151401189222-s2.0-105000490361WOS:001449773000017Q1Q1