Cell death mechanisms involved in cell injury caused by SARS‐CoV‐2
Maríllya Morais da Silva, André Silva Lira de Lucena, Sérgio de Sá Leitão Paiva Júnior, Vanessa Mylenna Florêncio de Carvalho, Priscilla Stela Santana de Oliveira, Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa, Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo, Maíra Galdino da Rocha Pitta, Michelly Cristiny Pereira
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is an emerging novel respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that rapidly spread worldwide. In addition to lung injury, Covid-19 patients may develop extrapulmonary symptoms, including cardiac, liver, kidney, digestive tract, and neurological injuries. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is the major receptor for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The specific mechanisms that lead to cell death in different tissues during infection by SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown. Based on data of the previous human coronavirus SARS-CoV together with information about SARS-CoV-2, this review provides a summary of the mechanisms involved in cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis, provoked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.