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07:56
Monitoring Changes in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells upon Viral Infection Using Impedance-Based Real-Time Cell Analysis
Published on: May 5, 2023
565
Endothelial dysfunction and immunothrombosis as key pathogenic mechanisms in COVID-19
Aldo Bonaventura1,2,3, Alessandra Vecchié4,5, Lorenzo Dagna6,7
1Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. aldo.bonaventura@asst-settelaghi.it.
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|April 7, 2021
Summary
Severe COVID-19 triggers immunothrombosis, a process involving immune cells and blood clotting, leading to organ damage. Targeting this clotting mechanism may offer new therapeutic strategies for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Hematology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, can lead to severe illness with systemic immune hyperactivation.
- This immune response can extend beyond the lungs, affecting multiple organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces immunothrombosis.
- To explore the role of immunothrombosis in COVID-19 complications.
- To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting immunothrombosis.
Main Methods:
- The study proposes a mechanism based on existing scientific understanding of immune and coagulation pathways.
- It reviews the potential involvement of neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, and the coagulation cascade in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection is proposed to induce immunothrombosis, characterized by the interaction of immune cells and the coagulation system.
- This process leads to intravascular clot formation, potentially causing microthrombotic complications.
- These complications may contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Understanding SARS-CoV-2-induced immunothrombosis is crucial for comprehending severe COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting immunothrombosis, including antithrombotic and immunomodulating drugs, may be beneficial.
- Improved understanding can aid in risk stratification and the development of targeted therapies for acute and long-term COVID-19 consequences.
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