Mechanisms of COVID-19 thrombosis in an inflammatory environment and new anticoagulant targets

Am J Transl Res. 2021 May 15;13(5):3925-3941. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

COVID-19 is widely epidemic in the world and poses a great threat to our life. Coagulopathy is one of the major characteristics in the COVID-19 patients. A growing number of studies have found that the severe COVID-19 patients have thrombotic microangiopathy and thromboembolism. Coagulopathy associated with increased risk of death in the patients. Unfortunately, the mechanism of coagulopathy is not clearly addressed. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of COVID-19 thrombosis and improving the coagulopathy through efficient treatment may help to stop disease progression, reduce mortality and sequelae. In severe COVID-19 patients, inflammation, cytokine storm, and coagulation are closely related, which together cause blood congestion and thrombosis. Many cytokines activate blood cells, expressing activating factors or releasing activated microparticles, and then accelerating thrombosis. However, the role of blood cells is not well understood in COVID-19 patients. In addition, cytokines stimulate endothelial cells, transforming them into a procoagulant phenotype. Therefore, determine their role and propose new strategies for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis in severe COVID-19 patients. We outline the major events of coagulopathies, discuss the role of blood and endothelial cells in thrombosis, to formulate a new anticoagulation protocol.

Keywords: COVID-19; anticoagulant therapy; cytokines; neutrophil extracellular traps; phosphatidylserine; thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Review