From COVID-19 to clot: the involvement of the complement system

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Mohamed A Hendaus1,2, Fatima A Jomha3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine and Research Center, Doha, Qatar.

Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics
|October 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The complement system plays a key role in COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pathogenesis, inflammation, and thrombosis. Blocking the terminal complement pathway may offer effective treatments for COVID-19 patients with blood clots.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • The emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late 2019 has been linked to coagulation profile abnormalities.
  • Understanding the immune response and pathogenesis of COVID-19 is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the role of the complement system in COVID-19-associated thrombo-genesis, inflammation, and tissue damage.
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets within the complement pathway for COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on COVID-19, coagulation, and the complement system.
  • Discussion of existing thrombosis treatments and novel therapeutic strategies targeting the complement cascade.

Main Results:

  • The complement system is implicated in the immune response to COVID-19, contributing to inflammation and thrombosis.
  • Blocking the terminal complement pathway presents a promising therapeutic avenue for managing COVID-19-related clotting.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system's role in COVID-19 pathogenesis warrants further investigation.
  • Targeting the terminal complement pathway could be a vital strategy for treating thrombosis in COVID-19 patients, potentially improving outcomes and facilitating early discharge.

Keywords:
COVID-19clotpathophysiologytreatment

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