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Review
. 2020 Dec 1;11(6):1481-1495.
doi: 10.14336/AD.2020.0903. eCollection 2020 Dec.

COVID-19 in Elderly Adults: Clinical Features, Molecular Mechanisms, and Proposed Strategies

Ya Yang, Yalei Zhao, Fen Zhang, Lingjian Zhang, Lanjuan Li  1
Affiliations
Review

COVID-19 in Elderly Adults: Clinical Features, Molecular Mechanisms, and Proposed Strategies

Ya Yang et al. Aging Dis. .

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is causing problems worldwide. Most people are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but elderly populations are more susceptible. Elevated susceptibility and death rates in elderly COVID-19 patients, especially those with age-related complications, are challenges for pandemic prevention and control. In this paper, we review the clinical features of elderly patients with COVID-19 and explore the related molecular mechanisms that are essential for the exploration of preventive and therapeutic strategies in the current pandemic. Furthermore, we analyze the feasibility of currently recommended potential novel methods against COVID-19 among elderly populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; clinical feature; elderly; molecular mechanism; strategy.

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Figures

Figure1.
Figure1.
Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with ACE2 and CD26. To enter the host cells, SARS-CoV-2 binds to membrane-bound ACE2 with the assistance of Furin and TMPRSS2. SARS-CoV-2 infections could create positive feedback loops that increase ACE2 expression and promote viral dissemination. On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2 infections may induce ACE2 shedding. ACE2 downregulation could lead to accumulation of Ang II, therefore inducing cytokine storm and ARDS. Activation of CD26 on T lymphocytes may partially contribute to the high expression of IL-6 in COVID-19 patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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