scholarly journals Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Cytokine Storms for More Effective Treatments from an Inflammatory Pathophysiology

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 801
Author(s):  
Shumpei Yokota ◽  
Takako Miyamae ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kuroiwa ◽  
Kusuki Nishioka
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept the world and caused a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 seems to have originated from bats as their reservoir hosts over time. Similar to SARS-CoV, this new virus also exerts its action on the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This action causes infections in cells and establishes an infectious disease, COVID-19. Against this viral invasion, the human body starts to activate the innate immune system in producing and releasing proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and other chemokines, such as G-CSF, IP10 and MCPl, which all develop and increase the inflammatory response. In cases of COVID-19, excessive inflammatory responses occur, and exaggerated proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are detected in the serum, resulting in cytokine release syndrome or cytokine storm. This causes coagulation abnormalities, excessive oxidation developments, mitochondrial permeability transition, vital organ damage, immune system failure and eventually progresses to disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure. Additionally, the excessive inflammatory responses also cause mitochondrial dysfunction due to progressive and persistent stress. This damages cells and mitochondria, leaving products containing mitochondrial DNA and cell debris involved in the excessive chronic inflammation as damage-associated molecular patterns. Thus, the respiratory infection progressively leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation from acute respiratory distress syndrome, including vascular endothelial cell damage and coagulation-fibrinolysis system disorders. This condition causes central nervous system disorders, renal failure, liver failure and, finally, multiple organ failure. Regarding treatment for COVID-19, the following are progressive and multiple steps for mitigating the excessive inflammatory response and subsequent cytokine storm in patients. First, administering of favipiravir to suppress SARS-CoV-2 and nafamostat to inhibit ACE2 function should be considered. Second, anti-rheumatic drugs (monoclonal antibodies), which act on the leading cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6) and/or cytokine receptors such as tocilizumab, should be administered as well. Finally, melatonin may also have supportive effects for cytokine release syndrome, resulting in mitochondrial function improvement. This paper will further explore these subjects with reports mostly from China and Europe.

scholarly journals Fatal cytokine release syndrome by an aberrant FLIP/STAT3 axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Musiu ◽  
Simone Caligola ◽  
Alessandra Fiore ◽  
Alessia Lamolinara ◽  
Cristina Frusteri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
Pathogen Invasion ◽  
Organ Failures ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Life Threatening

AbstractInflammatory responses rapidly detect pathogen invasion and mount a regulated reaction. However, dysregulated anti-pathogen immune responses can provoke life-threatening inflammatory pathologies collectively known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), exemplified by key clinical phenotypes unearthed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The underlying pathophysiology of CRS remains elusive. We found that FLIP, a protein that controls caspase-8 death pathways, was highly expressed in myeloid cells of COVID-19 lungs. FLIP controlled CRS by fueling a STAT3-dependent inflammatory program. Indeed, constitutive expression of a viral FLIP homolog in myeloid cells triggered a STAT3-linked, progressive, and fatal inflammatory syndrome in mice, characterized by elevated cytokine output, lymphopenia, lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunctions that mimicked human CRS. As STAT3-targeting approaches relieved inflammation, immune disorders, and organ failures in these mice, targeted intervention towards this pathway could suppress the lethal CRS inflammatory state.

scholarly journals Inflammatory Response in COVID-19 Patients Resulting from the Interaction of the Inflammasome and SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7914
Author(s):  
So Yeong Cheon ◽  
Bon-Nyeo Koo
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Immune Complex ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began at the end of 2019. COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and patients with COVID-19 may exhibit poor clinical outcomes. Some patients with severe COVID-19 experience cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or a cytokine storm—elevated levels of hyperactivated immune cells—and circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. This severe inflammatory response can lead to organ damage/failure and even death. The inflammasome is an intracellular immune complex that is responsible for the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in various human diseases. Recently, there has been a growing number of studies revealing a link between the inflammasome and COVID-19. Therefore, this article summarizes the current literature regarding the inflammasome complex and COVID-19.

scholarly journals Diverse Immunological Factors Influencing Pathogenesis in Patients with COVID-19: A Review on Viral Dissemination, Immunotherapeutic Options to Counter Cytokine Storm and Inflammatory Responses

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Ali A. Rabaan ◽  
Shamsah H. Al-Ahmed ◽  
Mohammed A. Garout ◽  
Ayman M. Al-Qaaneh ◽  
Anupam A Sule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Damage Recognition ◽  
Gender And Age

The pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still not fully unraveled. Though preventive vaccines and treatment methods are out on the market, a specific cure for the disease has not been discovered. Recent investigations and research studies primarily focus on the immunopathology of the disease. A healthy immune system responds immediately after viral entry, causing immediate viral annihilation and recovery. However, an impaired immune system causes extensive systemic damage due to an unregulated immune response characterized by the hypersecretion of chemokines and cytokines. The elevated levels of cytokine or hypercytokinemia leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) along with multiple organ damage. Moreover, the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 has been linked with race, gender, and age; hence, this viral infection’s outcome differs among the patients. Many therapeutic strategies focusing on immunomodulation have been tested out to assuage the cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19. A thorough understanding of the diverse signaling pathways triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is essential before contemplating relief measures. This present review explains the interrelationships of hyperinflammatory response or cytokine storm with organ damage and the disease severity. Furthermore, we have thrown light on the diverse mechanisms and risk factors that influence pathogenesis and the molecular pathways that lead to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and multiple organ damage. Recognition of altered pathways of a dysregulated immune system can be a loophole to identify potential target markers. Identifying biomarkers in the dysregulated pathway can aid in better clinical management for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. A special focus has also been given to potent inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic options to ameliorate cytokine storm and inflammatory responses in patients affected with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Reduced inflammatory responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children presenting to hospital with COVID19 in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoqing Qian ◽  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Yang Xu ◽  
Weihua Hu ◽  
Ian P Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Tumour Necrosis Factor ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Tumour Necrosis ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Hubei Province ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Necrosis Factor

SummaryBackgroundInfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children is associated with better outcomes than in adults. The inflammatory response to COVID-19 infection in children remains poorly characterised.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed the medical records of 127 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients aged 1 month to 16 years from Wuhan and Jingzhou of Hubei Province. Patients presented between January 25th and March 24th 2020. Information on clinical features, laboratory results, plasma cytokines/chemokines and lymphocyte subsets were analysed.FindingsChildren admitted to hospital with COVID-19 were more likely to be male (67.7%) and the median age was 7.3 [IQR 4.9] years. All but one patient with severe disease was aged under 2 and the majority (5/7) had significant co-morbidities. Despite 53% having viral pneumonia on CT scanning only 2 patients had low lymphocyte counts and no differences were observed in the levels of plasma proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ between patients with mild, moderate or severe disease.InterpretationsWe demonstrated that the immune responses of children to COVID-19 infection is significantly different from that seen in adults. Our evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 does not trigger a robust inflammatory response or ‘cytokine storm’ in children with COVID-19, and this may underlie the generally better outcomes seen in children with this disease. These data also imply anti-cytokine therapies may not be effective in children with moderate COVID-19.FundingThis study was funded by National Natural Foundation of China (No. 81970653).Research in contextEvidence before this studyWe searched PubMed without language restriction for studies published until June 25, 2020, using the search terms “SARS-CoV-2” or “novel coronavirus” or “COVID-19” and “immune responses” or “innate immunity” or “cytokine” or “subset of lymphocyte” and “children” or “adolescent”. Previously published research describes that severe and fatal cases in children are relatively rare. However, the inflammatory responses to COVID-19 infection in children remains poorly characterised.Added value of this studyWe analysed data from 127 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients aged 1 month to 16 years in Hubei province to explore the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting to hospital with COVID-19. Cell numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer T cells were within mostly normal limits even in more severe cases, and the levels of immunoglobulins, and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ were not generally elevated regardless of disease severity.Implications of all the available evidenceThe immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection of children is significantly different from that seen in adults. The inflammatory responses seen even in children with viral pneumonia on CT are relatively mild and do not trigger the “cytokine storm” seen in some adults with COVID-19. This implies anti-cytokine therapies may not be effective in children with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Integrated cytokine and metabolite analysis reveals immunometabolic reprogramming in COVID-19 patients with therapeutic implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Xiao ◽  
Meng Nie ◽  
Huanhuan Pang ◽  
Bohong Wang ◽  
Jieli Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Organ Injury ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear

AbstractCytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a major cause of the multi-organ injury and fatal outcome induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in severe COVID-19 patients. Metabolism can modulate the immune responses against infectious diseases, yet our understanding remains limited on how host metabolism correlates with inflammatory responses and affects cytokine release in COVID-19 patients. Here we perform both metabolomics and cytokine/chemokine profiling on serum samples from healthy controls, mild and severe COVID-19 patients, and delineate their global metabolic and immune response landscape. Correlation analyses show tight associations between metabolites and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, such as IL-6, M-CSF, IL-1α, IL-1β, and imply a potential regulatory crosstalk between arginine, tryptophan, purine metabolism and hyperinflammation. Importantly, we also demonstrate that targeting metabolism markedly modulates the proinflammatory cytokines release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from SARS-CoV-2-infected rhesus macaques ex vivo, hinting that exploiting metabolic alterations may be a potential strategy for treating fatal CRS in COVID-19.

scholarly journals Macrophage Activation and Cytokine Release Syndrome in COVID-19: Current Updates and Analysis of Repurposed and Investigational Anti-Cytokine Drugs

Drug Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashif Iqubal ◽  
Farazul Hoda ◽  
Abul Kalam Najmi ◽  
Syed Ehtaishamul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Macrophage Activation ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
Disease Condition ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

AbstractCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged from Wuhan, has now become pandemic and the mortality rate is growing exponentially. Clinical complication and fatality rate is much higher for patients having co-morbid issues. Compromised immune response and hyper inflammation is hall mark of pathogenesis and major cause of mortality. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or cytokine storm is a term used to affiliate the situation of hyper inflammation and therefore use of anti-cytokine and anti-inflammatory drugs is used to take care of this situation. Looking into the clinical benefit of these anti-inflammatory drugs, many of them enter into clinical trials. However, understanding the immunopathology of COVID-19 is important otherwise, indiscriminate use of these drugs could be fetal as there exists a very fine line of difference between viral clearing cytokines and inflammatory cytokines. If any drug suppresses the viral clearing cytokines, it will worsen the situation and hence, the use of these drugs must be based on the clinical condition, viral load, co-existing disease condition and severity of the infection.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Tocilizumab Therapy in Different Subtypes of COVID-19 Cytokine Storm Syndrome

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Oliynyk ◽  
Wojciech Barg ◽  
Anna Slifirczyk ◽  
Yanina Oliynyk ◽  
Vitaliy Gurianov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macrophage Activation Syndrome ◽  
Macrophage Activation ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Treatment Results ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Median Serum ◽  
D Dimer

Background: Cytokine storm in COVID-19 is heterogenous. There are at least three subtypes: cytokine release syndrome (CRS), macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), and sepsis. Methods: A retrospective study comprising 276 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. All patients were tested for ferritin, interleukin-6, D-Dimer, fibrinogen, calcitonin, and C-reactive protein. According to the diagnostic criteria, three groups of patients with different subtypes of cytokine storm syndrome were identified: MAS, CRS or sepsis. In the MAS and CRS groups, treatment results were assessed depending on whether or not tocilizumab was used. Results: MAS was diagnosed in 9.1% of the patients examined, CRS in 81.8%, and sepsis in 9.1%. Median serum ferritin in patients with MAS was significantly higher (5894 vs. 984 vs. 957 ng/mL, p < 0.001) than in those with CRS or sepsis. Hypofibrinogenemia and pancytopenia were also observed in MAS patients. In CRS patients, a higher mortality rate was observed among those who received tocilizumab, 21 vs. 10 patients (p = 0.043), RR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.0–4.3). In MAS patients, tocilizumab decreased the mortality, 13 vs. 6 patients (p = 0.013), RR = 0.50 (95% CI 0.25–0.99). Сonclusions: Tocilizumab therapy in patients with COVID-19 and CRS was associated with increased mortality, while in MAS patients, it contributed to reduced mortality.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Cytokine Storm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Kurtuluş ◽  
İbrahim Pirim
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Viral Agent ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
The Past ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Although the etiopathogenesis of infections has been largely illuminated by technical and scientific developments in the past century; many issues are still not clear today. The word “there is no disease, there is a patient” is stil valid today. Because the immune response of the host is as important as the virulence of the pathogen in infections and disease course can vary a lot according to the person. Cytokine Storm is seen exactly in a group of diseases where the host response is very prominent. For this reason, Cytokine Storm Syndrome (CSS) is mostly mentioned. CSS emerging due to different inflammatory etiologies; it is an overwhelming systemic inflammation, hemodynamic imbalance, multiple organ failure, and potentially leading to death. After being first seen in Influenza in 2003 as a viral agent, CSS was seen in SARS-Cov, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV2, which were found to be the las thuman disease from the Corona viridea family.The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 causes COVID-19, a pandemic threatening millions. Uncontrolled production of pro-inflammatory mediators contributes to, acut respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storm syndrome in COVID-19.

scholarly journals Modeling Inflammation in Zebrafish for the Development of Anti-inflammatory Drugs

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufei Xie ◽  
Annemarie H. Meijer ◽  
Marcel J. M. Schaaf
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Dysregulation of the inflammatory response in humans can lead to various inflammatory diseases, like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. The innate branch of the immune system, including macrophage and neutrophil functions, plays a critical role in all inflammatory diseases. This part of the immune system is well-conserved between humans and the zebrafish, which has emerged as a powerful animal model for inflammation, because it offers the possibility to image and study inflammatory responses in vivo at the early life stages. This review focuses on different inflammation models established in zebrafish, and how they are being used for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs. The most commonly used model is the tail fin amputation model, in which part of the tail fin of a zebrafish larva is clipped. This model has been used to study fundamental aspects of the inflammatory response, like the role of specific signaling pathways, the migration of leukocytes, and the interaction between different immune cells, and has also been used to screen libraries of natural compounds, approved drugs, and well-characterized pathway inhibitors. In other models the inflammation is induced by chemical treatment, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and copper, and some chemical-induced models, such as treatment with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), specifically model inflammation in the gastro-intestinal tract. Two mutant zebrafish lines, carrying a mutation in the hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor 1a gene (hai1a) and the cdp-diacylglycerolinositol 3-phosphatidyltransferase (cdipt) gene, show an inflammatory phenotype, and they provide interesting model systems for studying inflammation. These zebrafish inflammation models are often used to study the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, to increase our understanding of the mechanism of action of this class of drugs and to develop novel glucocorticoid drugs. In this review, an overview is provided of the available inflammation models in zebrafish, and how they are used to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response and to screen for novel anti-inflammatory drugs.

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