Neurological Symptoms of COVID-19: The Zonulin Hypothesis

Sílvia Llorens; Sílvia Llorens; Eduardo Nava; Eduardo Nava; Mónica Muñoz-López; Mónica Muñoz-López; Álvaro Sánchez-Larsen; Tomás Segura; Tomás Segura; Tomás Segura

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.665300

Frontiers in Immunology (Apr 2021)

Neurological Symptoms of COVID-19: The Zonulin Hypothesis

Sílvia Llorens,
Sílvia Llorens,
Eduardo Nava,
Eduardo Nava,
Mónica Muñoz-López,
Mónica Muñoz-López,
Álvaro Sánchez-Larsen,
Tomás Segura,
Tomás Segura,
Tomás Segura

Affiliations

Sílvia Llorens: Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Sílvia Llorens: Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Eduardo Nava: Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Eduardo Nava: Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Mónica Muñoz-López: Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Mónica Muñoz-López: Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Álvaro Sánchez-Larsen: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
Tomás Segura: Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
Tomás Segura: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
Tomás Segura: Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.665300
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12

Abstract

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The irruption of SARS-CoV-2 during 2020 has been of pandemic proportions due to its rapid spread and virulence. COVID-19 patients experience respiratory, digestive and neurological symptoms. Distinctive symptom as anosmia, suggests a potential neurotropism of this virus. Amongst the several pathways of entry to the nervous system, we propose an alternative pathway from the infection of the gut, involving Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), zonulin, protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and zonulin brain receptor. Possible use of zonulin antagonists could be investigated to attenuate neurological manifestations caused by SARS-CoV-19 infection.

Published in Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN: 1664-3224 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology

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Abstract

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