Hindrance of the Proteolytic Activity of Neutrophil-Derived Serine Proteases by Serine Protease Inhibitors as a Management of Cardiovascular Diseases and Chronic Inflammation

During inflammation neutrophils become activated and segregate neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) to the surrounding environment in order to support a natural immune defense. However, an excess of proteolytic activity of NSPs can cause many complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammatory disorders, which will be elucidated on a biochemical and immunological level. The application of selective serine protease inhibitors is the logical consequence in the management of the indicated comorbidities and will be summarized in this briefing.

The potential for Lactoferrin to reduce SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health threat caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms of COVID-19 are highly variable with common hyperactivity of immune responses known as a "cytokine storm". In fact, this massive release of inflammatory cytokines into in the pulmonary alveolar structure is a main cause of mortality during COVID-19 infection. Current management of COVID-19 is supportive and there is no common clinical protocol applied to suppress this pathological state. Lactoferrin (LF), an iron binding protein, is a first line defense protein that is present in neutrophils and excretory fluids of all mammals, and is well recognized for its role in maturation and regulation of immune system function. Also, due to its ability to sequester free iron, LF is known to protect against insult-induced oxidative stress and subsequent "cytokine storm" that results in dramatic necrosis within the affected tissue. Review of the literature strongly suggests utility of LF to silence the "cytokine storm", giving credence to both prophylactic and therapeutic approaches towards combating COVID-19 infection.