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Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Monitoring Changes in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells upon Viral Infection Using Impedance-Based Real-Time Cell Analysis
Published on: May 5, 2023
COVID-19 and the endothelium
F Jung1, A Krüger-Genge2, R P Franke3
1Institute of Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany.
Insights
COVID-19 damages the endothelial system, causing organ dysfunction through microcirculatory impairments. This, with inflammation and complement activation, promotes blood clot formation in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Emerging evidence indicates COVID-19's impact extends beyond pulmonary tissues, significantly affecting the vascular endothelial system.
- Studies highlight COVID-19's role in causing microcirculatory dysfunction, leading to impaired function across multiple internal organs.
- The interplay between endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and complement activation is increasingly recognized in severe COVID-19.
Abstract:
There is growing evidence that COVID-19 not only affects the lungs but beyond that the endothelial system. Recent studies showed that this can lead to microcirculatory impairments and in consequence to functional disorders of all inner organs. The combination of endothelial dysfunction with a generalized inflammatory state and complement elements may together contribute to the overall pro-coagulative state described in COVID-19 patients leading to venular as well as to arteriolar occlusions.
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