Complement cascade in severe forms of COVID-19: Recent advances in therapy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
• SARS-CoV-2 activates classical, lectin, and alternative complement pathways.
• Overactivated complement contributes to severe COVID-19 symptoms like cytokine storms and thrombosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore immunotherapies targeting complement overactivation in COVID-19.
• To investigate the potential of complement blockade as a COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on complement system activation by SARS-CoV-2.
• Analysis of the role of complement in COVID-19 immunopathology.
• Evaluation of complement blockade strategies, particularly C5a-C5aR axis blockade.

Main Results:

• Complement overactivation is implicated in severe COVID-19 pathogenesis.
• No effective antiviral drugs are currently available for COVID-19.
• Immunotherapies targeting the complement system show promise for the immunopathological phase of COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• Complement blockade, especially C5a-C5aR axis blockade, may mitigate severe COVID-19 complications.
• Targeting complement offers a potential therapeutic strategy for severe COVID-19.
• Clinical trials are ongoing to validate these findings.