Abstract
Cytokine storm in COVID-19 is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 that is caused by a dysregulated immune system of the host. We are proposing a new hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 mediated inflammation of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) may be responsible for the cytokine storm in COVID 19. The inflamed NTS may result in a dysregulated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Keywords:
COVID-19; cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway; cytokine storm; cytokines; hypothalamic−pituitary−adrenal axis; nucleus tractus solitarius.
MeSH terms
-
Axons / immunology
-
Axons / metabolism
-
Axons / virology
-
Betacoronavirus / immunology
-
Betacoronavirus / metabolism*
-
COVID-19
-
Coronavirus Infections / immunology
-
Coronavirus Infections / metabolism*
-
Cranial Nerves / immunology
-
Cranial Nerves / metabolism
-
Cranial Nerves / virology
-
Cytokines / immunology
-
Cytokines / metabolism*
-
Humans
-
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / immunology
-
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism
-
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / virology
-
Inflammation Mediators / immunology
-
Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
-
Pandemics
-
Pituitary-Adrenal System / immunology
-
Pituitary-Adrenal System / metabolism
-
Pituitary-Adrenal System / virology
-
Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
-
Pneumonia, Viral / metabolism*
-
SARS-CoV-2
-
Solitary Nucleus / immunology
-
Solitary Nucleus / metabolism*
-
Solitary Nucleus / virology
Substances
-
Cytokines
-
Inflammation Mediators