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. 2021 Jul 21;12(14):2558-2561.
doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00403. Epub 2021 Jul 2.

COVID-19 as a Trigger of Brain Autoimmunity

Mayuri Gupta  1 , Donald F Weaver  1   2
Affiliations

COVID-19 as a Trigger of Brain Autoimmunity

Mayuri Gupta et al. ACS Chem Neurosci. .

Abstract

Entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the central nervous system (CNS) activates microglia, triggering chronic neuroinflammation and possibly neurodegeneration. The complex transcriptome of SARS-CoV-2 shares molecular similarities with diverse human CNS protein epitopes, leading to a cytokine storm and various autoantibodies, potentially culminating in an autoimmune state. A COVID-19 initiated CNS autoimmune cascade may occur via multiple pathways including molecular mimicry, bystander activation, epitope spreading, production of autoantibodies, and immortalization of effector B-cells.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; autoimmunity; blood−brain barrier; cytokine storm; dementia; neurodegenerative disease; neuroinflammation.

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