Cell death mechanisms involved in cell injury caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Morais da Silva, Maríllya; Lira de Lucena, André Silva; Paiva Júnior, Sergio de Sá Leitão; Florêncio De Carvalho, Vanessa Mylenna; Santana de Oliveira, Priscilla Stela; da Rosa, Michelle Melgarejo; Barreto de Melo Rego, Moacyr Jesus; Pitta, Maira Galdino da Rocha; Pereira, Michelly Cristiny

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is an emerging novel respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that rapidly spread worldwide. In addition to lung injury, Covid-19 patients may develop extrapulmonary symptoms, including cardiac, liver, kidney, digestive tract, and neurological injuries. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is the major receptor for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The specific mechanisms that lead to cell death in different tissues during infection by SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown. Based on data of the previous human coronavirus SARS-CoV together with information about SARS-CoV-2, this review provides a summary of the mechanisms involved in cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis, provoked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.