Complement cascade in severe forms of COVID-19: Recent advances in therapy.
Nassima Chouaki BenmansourJulien CarvelliÉric VivierPublished in: European journal of immunology (2021)
The complement system is an essential component of the innate immune system. The three complement pathways (classical, lectin, alternative) are directly or indirectly activated by the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). In the most severe forms of COVID-19, overactivation of the complement system may contribute to the cytokine storm, endothelial inflammation (endotheliitis) and thrombosis. No antiviral drug has yet been shown to be effective in COVID-19. Therefore, immunotherapies represent a promising therapeutic in the immunopathological phase (following the viral phase) of the disease. Complement blockade, mostly C5a-C5aR axis blockade, may prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from worsening or progression to death. Clinical trials are underway.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- coronavirus disease
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- clinical trial
- mechanical ventilation
- innate immune
- oxidative stress
- early onset
- endothelial cells
- stem cells
- drug induced
- emergency department
- intensive care unit
- bone marrow
- open label
- smoking cessation
- study protocol
- adverse drug