Frontiers in Neurology (Apr 2021)

Elucidating the Neuropathologic Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

  • Mar Pacheco-Herrero,
  • Luis O. Soto-Rojas,
  • Charles R. Harrington,
  • Yazmin M. Flores-Martinez,
  • Marcos M. Villegas-Rojas,
  • Alfredo M. León-Aguilar,
  • Paola A. Martínez-Gómez,
  • B. Berenice Campa-Córdoba,
  • B. Berenice Campa-Córdoba,
  • Ricardo Apátiga-Pérez,
  • Ricardo Apátiga-Pérez,
  • Carolin N. Corniel-Taveras,
  • Jesabelle de J. Dominguez-García,
  • Víctor Manuel Blanco-Alvarez,
  • José Luna-Muñoz,
  • José Luna-Muñoz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.660087
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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The current pandemic caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a public health emergency. To date, March 1, 2021, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused about 114 million accumulated cases and 2.53 million deaths worldwide. Previous pieces of evidence suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may affect the central nervous system (CNS) and cause neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients. It is also known that angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, is expressed in different brain areas and cell types. Thus, it is hypothesized that infection by this virus could generate or exacerbate neuropathological alterations. However, the molecular mechanisms that link COVID-19 disease and nerve damage are unclear. In this review, we describe the routes of SARS-CoV-2 invasion into the central nervous system. We also analyze the neuropathologic mechanisms underlying this viral infection, and their potential relationship with the neurological manifestations described in patients with COVID-19, and the appearance or exacerbation of some neurodegenerative diseases.

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