Cytokines and COVID-19: friends or foes?
Mohsen Rokni, Michael R. Hamblin, Nima Rezaei
Abstract
The cytokine storm following sepsis has been proven to be an important mechanism for triggering acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a fatal uncontrolled systemic inflammation characterized by high concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, secreted by immune effector cells. The cytokine storm also occurs in the recently emerged novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Therefore, cytokines which usually help the immune system to fight infections are potentially harmful in the course of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, avoiding or mitigating the cytokine storm may be a key treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Topics & Concepts
Cytokine stormImmunologyImmune systemCytokineCoronavirusChemokineMedicineSepsisInflammationCytokine release syndromeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)DiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)ImmunotherapyInternal medicineChimeric antigen receptorCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Respiratory Support and Mechanisms