The role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 (literature review)

Abstract

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that ranges from the common cold to severe interstitial pneumonia, respiratory failure and septic shock. Patients with severe COVID-19 are characterized by a dysfunctional immune response, whereby neutrophils may amplify pathological damage or control other cell subsets. Despite the rapid study of all parts of the immune system in COVID-19 patients, there remain many unknown critical features of neutrophils in the control of viral infections. This article reviews the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 with emphasis on the release of neutrophil traps, neutrophil heterogeneity, and mechanisms involved in immunothrombosis. The knowledge summarized in this study should help integrate neutrophil biology to develop new and more effective COVID-19 therapies.

Keywords

• covid-19
• neutrophils
• neutrophil traps
• neutrophil heterogeneity
• thrombosis