Image: Fimmu-11-01648-g001

Description: Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 associated cytokine storm and associated damages. Infection with SARS-CoV 2 can stimulate a hyperinflammatory immune response wherein epithelial-cell-mediated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause cell death. ROS can also stimulate the synthesis of NLRP3 and NF-κB which contribute to increased cytokine levels, and thus, the cytokine storm. This essentially causes immune invasion which can lead to clinically relevant conditions such as ARDS, sepsis, MODS and potentially even death. The organs affected as a result of MODS, and their associated symptoms, have been shown. Lower gastrointestinal (GI) is rich in ACE2 receptors and hence at higher risk of infection due to COVID-19. Twenty percent of COVID-19 patients have diarrhea as symptoms. SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; ROS, reactive oxygen species; NLRP3, (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; IFN, interferon; PAMPs, pathogen-associated molecular patterns; DAMPs, damage-associated molecular patterns; PRR, pattern recognition receptors; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; MODS, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
Title: Fimmu-11-01648-g001
Credit: Bhaskar S, Sinha A, Banach M, Mittoo S, Weissert R, Kass JS, Rajagopal S, Pai AR and Kutty S (2020) Cytokine Storm in COVID-19—Immunopathological Mechanisms, Clinical Considerations, and Therapeutic Approaches: The REPROGRAM Consortium Position Paper. Front. Immunol. 11:1648. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01648
Author: Sonu Bhaskar, Akansha Sinha, Maciej Banach, Shikha Mittoo, Robert Weissert, Joseph S. Kass, Santhosh Rajagopal, Anupama R. Pai, and Shelby Kutty
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
License: CC BY 4.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Attribution Required?: Yes