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Six I, Guillaume N, Jacob V, Mentaverri R, Kamel S, Boullier A, Slama M. The Endothelium and COVID-19: An Increasingly Clear Link Brief Title: Endotheliopathy in COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6196. [PMID: 35682871 PMCID: PMC9181280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium has a fundamental role in the cardiovascular complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) particularly affects endothelial cells. The virus binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor (present on type 2 alveolar cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and endothelial cells), and induces a cytokine storm. The cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 have particular effects on endothelial cells-leading to endothelial dysfunction, endothelial cell death, changes in tight junctions, and vascular hyperpermeability. Under normal conditions, apoptotic endothelial cells are removed into the bloodstream. During COVID-19, however, endothelial cells are detached more rapidly, and do not regenerate as effectively as usual. The loss of the endothelium on the luminal surface abolishes all of the vascular responses mediated by the endothelium and nitric oxide production in particular, which results in greater contractility. Moreover, circulating endothelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 act as vectors for viral dissemination by forming clusters that migrate into the circulation and reach distant organs. The cell clusters and the endothelial dysfunction might contribute to the various thromboembolic pathologies observed in COVID-19 by inducing the formation of intravascular microthrombi, as well as by triggering disseminated intravascular coagulation. Here, we review the contributions of endotheliopathy and endothelial-cell-derived extracellular vesicles to the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and discuss therapeutic strategies that target the endothelium in patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Six
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV), Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (R.M.); (S.K.); (A.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Nicolas Guillaume
- EA Hematim 4666, Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (N.G.); (V.J.)
- Amiens-Picardie University Medical Center, Human Biology Center, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Valentine Jacob
- EA Hematim 4666, Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (N.G.); (V.J.)
| | - Romuald Mentaverri
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV), Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (R.M.); (S.K.); (A.B.); (M.S.)
- Amiens-Picardie University Medical Center, Human Biology Center, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Said Kamel
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV), Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (R.M.); (S.K.); (A.B.); (M.S.)
- Amiens-Picardie University Medical Center, Human Biology Center, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Agnès Boullier
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV), Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (R.M.); (S.K.); (A.B.); (M.S.)
- Amiens-Picardie University Medical Center, Human Biology Center, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Michel Slama
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV), Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France; (R.M.); (S.K.); (A.B.); (M.S.)
- Amiens-Picardie University Medical Center, Medical Intensive Care Unit, 80054 Amiens, France
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Mulia EPB, Luke K. Inhaled prostacyclin analogues in COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: scientific rationale. Egypt Heart J 2021; 73:82. [PMID: 34529182 PMCID: PMC8443914 DOI: 10.1186/s43044-021-00208-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) is a severe form of SARS CoV-2 infection and affects about 15-30% of hospitalized patients with a high mortality rate. Growing research and data suggest several available drugs with appropriate pharmacological effects to treat COVID-19. MAIN BODY Prostacyclin analogues are regiments for pulmonary artery hypertension. Prostacyclin analogues are expected to be beneficial in treating CARDS based on at least four rationales: (1) inhaled prostacyclin analogues improve oxygenation, V/Q mismatch, and act as an ARDS therapy alternative; (2) it alleviates direct SARS-CoV-2-related coagulopathy; (3) increases nitric oxide production; and (4) possible anti-inflammatory effect. Prostacyclin analogues are available in oral, intravenous, and inhaled forms. The inhaled form has the advantage over other forms, such as parenteral administration risks. Previously, a meta-analysis demonstrated the beneficial effects of inhaled prostaglandins for ARDS treatment, such as improved PaO2/FiO2 and PaO2 along with reduced pulmonary artery pressure. Currently, two ongoing randomized controlled trials are evaluating inhaled epoprostenol (VPCOVID [NCT04452669]) and iloprost (ILOCOVID [NCT04445246]) for severe COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS Inhaled prostacyclin could be considered in patients with refractory, life-threatening hypoxia despite standard management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eka Prasetya Budi Mulia
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga – Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Jl. Mayjen Prof. Dr. Moestopo No.6-8, Surabaya, 60286 Indonesia
| | - Kevin Luke
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Mayjen Prof. Dr. Moestopo No.6-8, Surabaya, 60286 Indonesia
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Endothelial Dysfunction, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in COVID-19-Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8671713. [PMID: 34457119 PMCID: PMC8397545 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8671713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic represents an ongoing healthcare emergency responsible for more than 3.4 million deaths worldwide. COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus that targets not only the lungs but also the cardiovascular system. COVID-19 can manifest with a wide range of clinical manifestations, from mild symptoms to severe forms of the disease, characterized by respiratory failure due to severe alveolar damage. Several studies investigated the underlying mechanisms of the severe lung damage associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and revealed that the respiratory failure associated with COVID-19 is the consequence not only of acute respiratory distress syndrome but also of macro- and microvascular involvement. New observations show that COVID-19 is an endothelial disease, and the consequent endotheliopathy is responsible for inflammation, cytokine storm, oxidative stress, and coagulopathy. In this review, we show the central role of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the COVID-19 pathogenesis and present the therapeutic targets deriving from this endotheliopathy.
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