Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025

08:05
Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
14.5K
Cell-type apoptosis in lung during SARS-CoV-2 infection
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|January 5, 2021
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection activates apoptosis pathways in lung cells, contributing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Targeting EPAC1 may offer a therapeutic strategy for ARDS in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, frequently leads to respiratory failure via acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- Diffuse alveolar damage is a key pathological feature of ARDS, but its pathogenesis in SARS-CoV-2 infection is not fully understood.
- Understanding cellular apoptosis is crucial for elucidating ARDS mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection activates apoptotic pathways contributing to ARDS pathogenesis.
- Specific cell types exhibit differential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2-induced apoptosis.
- EPAC1 activation presents a potential therapeutic avenue for mitigating SARS-CoV-2-related lung injury.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
1.9K
The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
1.9K
Caspases
13.2K
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside...
13.2K
Overview of Cell Death
8.5K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
8.5K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
7.5K
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
7.5K
Apoptosis
12.9K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
12.9K
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
7.2K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
7.2K

