Ferroptosis in COVID-19-related liver injury: A potential mechanism and therapeutic target

Yunqing Chen; Yan Xu; Kan Zhang; Liang Shen; Min Deng

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.922511

Ferroptosis in COVID-19-related liver injury: A potential mechanism and therapeutic target

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 Jul 27:12:922511. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.922511. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yunqing Chen¹, Yan Xu¹, Kan Zhang¹, Liang Shen², Min Deng¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
² Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.

Abstract

The outbreak and worldwide spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been a threat to global public health. SARS-CoV-2 infection not only impacts the respiratory system but also causes hepatic injury. Ferroptosis, a distinct iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death, has been investigated in various pathological conditions, such as cancer, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and liver diseases. However, whether ferroptosis takes part in the pathophysiological process of COVID-19-related liver injury has not been evaluated yet. This review highlights the pathological changes in COVID-19-related liver injury and presents ferroptosis as a potential mechanism in the pathological process. Ferroptosis, as a therapeutic target for COVID-19-related liver injury, is also discussed. Discoveries in these areas will improve our understanding of strategies to prevent and treat hepatic injuries caused by COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; ferroptosis; hyperferritinemia; liver.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Ferroptosis*
Humans
Iron / metabolism
Liver / metabolism
SARS-CoV-2

Substances

Iron