Pharmacotherapy in COVID 19: Potential Impact of Targeting the Complement System

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Courtney M Barkoff1, Shaker A Mousa1

  • 1The Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 1 Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.

Biomedicines
|December 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The complement system, crucial for immunity, may worsen COVID-19 complications like inflammation and thrombosis. Targeting this system offers potential new treatments for severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to significant global mortality.
  • The complement system is a vital part of innate immunity but can cause detrimental effects.
  • Inflammation, tissue damage, and thrombosis are severe complications in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of complement system activation in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting the complement system for COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on complement activation and COVID-19.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms linking complement to COVID-19 complications.
  • Evaluation of existing and potential complement-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests complement overactivation contributes to COVID-19 severity.
  • Complement-mediated inflammation, damage, and thrombosis are implicated in severe cases.
  • Targeting specific complement pathways may mitigate these adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • Complement system dysregulation plays a significant role in COVID-19 pathophysiology.
  • Therapeutic inhibition of the complement system presents a promising avenue for managing severe COVID-19.

Keywords:
C3C5COVID-19SARS-CoV-2coagulopathycomplementcompstatinheparininflammation

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