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Cell Death in Coronavirus Infections: Uncovering Its Role during COVID-19
Annamaria Paolini1, Rebecca Borella1, Sara De Biasi1
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy.
Cells
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may trigger multiple cell death pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. These mechanisms contribute to lymphopenia and monocytopenia in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cell death regulation is vital for tissue homeostasis.
- Viral infections, like COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, can disrupt normal cell death processes.
- Lymphopenia and monocytopenia are observed in COVID-19, suggesting immune cell loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of distinct cell death pathways in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis.
- To explore how SARS-CoV-2 infection influences apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis.
- To understand the contribution of cell death to immune cell reduction in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and cell death mechanisms.
- Analysis of proposed direct and indirect roles of SARS-CoV-2 in inducing cell death.
- Discussion of the interplay between cytokine storm and immune cell death.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with dysregulated cell death.
- Apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis are likely occurring concurrently in COVID-19.
- Both direct viral effects and indirect cytokine storm contribute to immune cell death.
Conclusions:
- Cell death pathways play a significant role in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms.
- Understanding cell death in COVID-19 may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
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