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Review
. 2021 Apr 16:14:1487-1510.
doi: 10.2147/JIR.S301784. eCollection 2021.

Attenuating the Effects of Novel COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection-Induced Cytokine Storm and the Implications

Adekunle Babajide Rowaiye  1 , Okiemute Ajiroghene Okpalefe  2 , Olukemi Onuh Adejoke  3 , Joyce Oloaigbe Ogidigo  4 , Oluwakemi Hannah Oladipo  5 , Amoge Chidinma Ogu  3 , Angus Nnamdi Oli  1 , Samson Olofinase  2 , Onyekachi Onyekwere  6 , Abdullahi Rabiu Abubakar  7 , Dilshad Jahan  8 , Salequl Islam  9 , Siddhartha Dutta  10 , Mainul Haque  11
Affiliations
Review

Attenuating the Effects of Novel COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection-Induced Cytokine Storm and the Implications

Adekunle Babajide Rowaiye et al. J Inflamm Res. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an arduous global health challenge, and the increasing number of fatalities calls for the speedy pursuit of a remedy. This review emphasizes the changing aspects of the COVID-19 disease, featuring the cytokine storm's pathological processes. Furthermore, we briefly reviewed potential therapeutic agents that may modulate and alleviate cytokine storms. The literature exploration was made using PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Google scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to retrieve the most recent literature on the etiology, diagnostic markers, and the possible prophylactic and therapeutic options for the management of cytokine storm in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 disease. The causative agent, severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), continually threatens the efficiency of the immune system of the infected individuals. As the first responder, the innate immune system provides primary protection against COVID-19, affecting the disease's progression, clinical outcome, and prognosis. Evidence suggests that the fatalities associated with COVID-19 are primarily due to hyper-inflammation and an aberrant immune function. Accordingly, the magnitude of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, (IL-6), and tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) significantly differentiate between mild and severe cases of COVID-19. The early prediction of a cytokine storm is made possible by several serum chemistry and hematological markers. The prompt use of these markers for diagnosis and the aggressive prevention and management of a cytokine release syndrome is critical in determining the level of morbidity and fatality associated with COVID-19. The prophylaxis and the rapid treatment of cytokine storm by clinicians will significantly enhance the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 disease.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cytokine storm; fatality; hyper-inflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they do not have any financial involvement or affiliations with any organization, association, or entity directly or indirectly with the subject matter or materials presented in this article. This also includes honoraria, expert testimony, employment, ownership of stocks or options, patents or grants received or pending, or royalties.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Defective NK cell signals the production of a flurry of cytokines. Notes: Reproduced from Rowaiye, A.; Okpalefe, O.; Onuh, O.; Ogidigo, J.; Oladipo, O.; Ogu, A.; Oli, A.; Olofinase, S.; Onyekwere, O. Preparing for the Storm: Mitigating the Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Hypercytokinemia. Preprints 2020, 2020110604. Creative Commons license and disclaimer available from: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SARS-CoV-2 evades TLR recognition and thereby suppressing IFN-1 production. Notes: Reproduced from Rowaiye, A.; Okpalefe, O.; Onuh, O.; Ogidigo, J.; Oladipo, O.; Ogu, A.; Oli, A.; Olofinase, S.; Onyekwere, O. Preparing for the Storm: Mitigating the Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Hypercytokinemia. Preprints 2020, 2020110604. Creative Commons license and disclaimer available from: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Markers of cytokine storm associated with COVID-19.,,
Figure 4
Figure 4
Potential therapeutic agents for managing cytokine storm associated with COVID-19.,,,,,,
Figure 5
Figure 5
The prevention, immunopathogenesis and management of COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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