[Involvement of the complement cascade in severe forms of COVID-19]

Med Sci (Paris). 2021 Apr;37(4):333-341. doi: 10.1051/medsci/2021021. Epub 2021 Apr 9.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The complement system is an essential component of the innate immune system. Its excessive activation during COVID-19 contributes to cytokine storm, disease-specific endothelial inflammation (endotheliitis) and thrombosis that comes with the disease. Targeted therapies of complement inhibition in COVID-19, in particular blocking the C5a-C5aR1 axis have to be taken into account in the establishment of potential biomarkers and development of therapeutic strategies in the most severe forms of the disease.

Title: Implication de la cascade du complément dans les formes sévères de COVID-19.

Abstract: Le système du complément est un composant essentiel du système immunitaire inné. Son activation excessive au cours de la COVID-19 participe à l’orage cytokinique, à l’inflammation endothéliale (endothélite) et aux thromboses qui accompagnent la maladie. Bloquer le complément, notamment l’axe C5a-C5aR1, par des thérapies spécifiques représente un espoir thérapeutique dans les formes les plus sévères de la maladie.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • Complement Activation / physiology*
  • Complement C5a / immunology
  • Complement C5a / metabolism
  • Complement System Proteins / physiology*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / etiology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Signal Transduction / immunology

Substances

  • Complement C5a
  • Complement System Proteins