Pathological Features and Neuroinflammatory Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in the Brain and Potential Therapeutic Approaches

Biomolecules. 2022 Jul 11;12(7):971. doi: 10.3390/biom12070971.

Abstract

The number of deaths has been increased due to COVID-19 infections and uncertain neurological complications associated with the central nervous system. Post-infections and neurological manifestations in neuronal tissues caused by COVID-19 are still unknown and there is a need to explore how brainstorming promoted congenital impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. SARS-CoV-2 neuro-invasion studies in vivo are still rare, despite the fact that other beta-coronaviruses have shown similar properties. Neural (olfactory or vagal) and hematogenous (crossing the blood-brain barrier) pathways have been hypothesized in light of new evidence showing the existence of SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry receptors into the specific components of human nerve and vascular tissue. Spike proteins are the primary key and structural component of the COVID-19 that promotes the infection into brain cells. Neurological manifestations and serious neurodegeneration occur through the binding of spike proteins to ACE2 receptor. The emerging evidence reported that, due to the high rate in the immediate wake of viral infection, the olfactory bulb, thalamus, and brain stem are intensely infected through a trans-synaptic transfer of the virus. It also instructs the release of chemokines, cytokines, and inflammatory signals immensely to the blood-brain barrier and infects the astrocytes, which causes neuroinflammation and neuron death; and this induction of excessive inflammation and immune response developed in more neurodegeneration complications. The present review revealed the pathophysiological effects, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of possible entry routes into the brain, pathogenicity of autoantibodies and emerging immunotherapies against COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; brain; cytokines; neuroinflammation; neurological symptoms; olfactory bulb; pathological feathers; therapeutic approaches.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain / metabolism
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry

Substances

  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Grants and funding

The project was supported by grant from The Oman Research Council (TRC) through the funded project (BFP/RGP/HSS/19/198).