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Insights into the Immunopathophysiology of Severe COVID-19 in Metabolic Disorders

Skand Shekhar1,2, Caroline E Copacino3, Francisco J Barrera4,5,6

  • 1Section on Endocrinology & Genetics (SEGEN), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India)
|October 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Severe COVID-19 disproportionately affects individuals with metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. This review explores immune system dysregulation pathways contributing to severe outcomes in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) has caused a global health crisis.
  • Metabolic disorders including obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are prevalent worldwide.
  • These conditions are associated with increased risk and severity of COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the immunological mechanisms underlying severe COVID-19 in individuals with metabolic disorders.
  • To highlight the link between metabolic health and immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on COVID-19, metabolic disorders, and immune function.
  • Analysis of pathways involving immune dysregulation in the context of metabolic conditions.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic disorders are linked to chronic inflammation and impaired immune responses.
  • These alterations can exacerbate viral infections like COVID-19.
  • Specific immune dysregulation pathways contribute to severe COVID-19 manifestations in affected individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Immune dysregulation plays a critical role in the severe outcomes of COVID-19 among those with metabolic disorders.
  • Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between metabolic health and immunity during viral pandemics.

Keywords:
COVID-19Diabetes MellitusHypertensionObesity

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