Endothelial Dysfunction in COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Coronaviruses

Endothelial Dysfunction in COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Coronaviruses Eleni Gavriilaki 1, Panagiota Anyfanti 1, Maria Gavriilaki 2, Antonios Lazaridis 1, Stella Douma 1, Eugenia Gkaliagkousi 3 Abstract To review current literature on endothelial dysfunction with previous coronaviruses, and present available data on the role of endothelial dysfunction in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in terms of pathophysiology and clinical phenotype RECENT FINDINGS: Recent evidence suggests that signs and symptoms of severe COVID-19 infection resemble the clinical phenotype of endothelial dysfunction, implicating mutual pathophysiological pathways. Dysfunction of endothelial cells is believed to mediate a variety of viral infections, including those caused by previous coronaviruses. Experience from previous coronaviruses has triggered hypotheses on the role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which are currently being tested in preclinical and clinical studies. Endothelial dysfunction is the common denominator of multiple clinical aspects of severe COVID-19 infection that have been problematic for treating physicians. Given the global impact of this pandemic, better understanding of the pathophysiology could significantly affect management of patients. Keywords: COVID-19; Complement; Endothelial dysfunction; SARS-COV-2; Thrombosis; Thrombotic microangiopathy.

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