Therapy Targets SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Induced Cell Death

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with variable severity.
• High mortality in COVID-19 is linked to cytokine storms, characterized by excessive cytokine release.
• Inflammatory cell death is hypothesized to initiate cytokine storms in SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the various forms of cell death induced by SARS-CoV-2.
• To explore the role of different cell death pathways in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets within cell death pathways for COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating SARS-CoV-2 and cell death mechanisms.
• Analysis of in vivo and in vitro data on SARS-CoV-2-induced cell death.
• Elaboration on specific cell death modalities including apoptosis, necroptosis, NETosis, pyroptosis, and channel-induced cell death.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 induces multiple forms of inflammatory cell death.
• Specific pathways discussed include apoptosis, necroptosis, NETosis, pyroptosis of syncytia, and SARS-CoV-2 E protein channel-induced cell death.
• These cell death mechanisms are implicated in the cytokine storm observed in severe COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• Cell death pathways are critical in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19.
• Targeting specific cell death mechanisms presents a promising strategy for developing novel COVID-19 therapeutics.
• Further research into these pathways can elucidate COVID-19's high mortality and inform treatment strategies.