Targeting pivotal inflammatory pathways in COVID-19: A mechanistic review

Eur J Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 5:890:173620. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173620. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Abstract

As an emerging global health crisis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been labeled a worldwide pandemic. Growing evidence is revealing further pathophysiological mechanisms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Amongst these dysregulated pathways inflammation seems to play a more critical role toward COVID-19 complications. In the present study, precise inflammatory pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2, along with potential therapeutic candidates have been discussed. Prevailing evidence has indicated a close correlation of inflammatory cascades with severity, pathological progression, and organ damages in COVID-19 patients. From the mechanistic point of view, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β receptor, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor, toll-like receptor, receptor tyrosine kinases, growth factor receptor, Janus kinase/signal transducers and transcription pathway, mammalian target of rapamycin, cytokine storm and macrophage activation have shown to play critical roles in COVID-19 complications. So, there is an urgent need to provide novel mechanistic-based anti-inflammatory agents. This review highlights inflammatory signaling pathways of SARS-CoV-2. Several therapeutic targets and treatment strategies have also been provided in an attempt to tackle COVID-19 complications.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cytokines; Inflammatory pathways; Interleukin; JAK/STAT; TLR.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents