Interleukin-17A (IL-17A): A silent amplifier of COVID-19

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Oct:142:111980. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111980. Epub 2021 Jul 29.

Abstract

One of the hallmarks of COVID-19 is the cytokine storm that provokes primarily pneumonia followed by systemic inflammation. Emerging evidence has identified a potential link between elevated interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels and disease severity and progression. Considering that per se, IL-17A can activate several inflammatory pathways, it is plausible to hypothesize an involvement of this cytokine in COVID-19 clinical outcomes. Thus, IL-17A could represent a marker of disease progression and/or a target to develop therapeutic strategies. This hypothesis paper aims to propose this "unique" cytokine as a silent amplifier of the COVID-19 immune response and (potentially) related therapy.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cytokine storm; IL-17A; Immunotherapy; Th17.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • COVID-19* / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome* / etiology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome* / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-17* / blood
  • Interleukin-17* / immunology
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-17