Atherosclerosis as Pathogenetic Substrate for Sars-Cov2 &lsquo;&lsquo;Cytokine Storm&rsquo;&rsquo;<strong> </strong>

Abstract

<jats:p>Sars-CoV-2 outbreak represents a public health emergency, affecting different regions of the world. Lung is the organ more damaged due to the high presence of Sars-CoV-2 binding receptor ACE2 on epithelial alveolar cells. Severity of infection vary from absence of symptomatology to be more severe, characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiorgan failure and sepsis requiring treatment in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).It is not still clear why in a small percentage of patients immune system is not able to efficiently suppress viral replication. It has been documented as predictive factors for severity and susceptibility affections of cardiovascular system such as heart failure (HF), coronary heart disease (CHD) and risk factors for atherosclerotic progression, hypertension and diabetes among others.Atherosclerotic progression, as chronic inflammation process, is characterized by immune system dysregulation leading to pro-inflammatory pattern, including (Interleukin 6) IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor &amp;alpha; (TNF-&amp;alpha;) and IL-1&amp;beta; raise. Reviewing immune system and inflammation profiles in atherosclerosis and laboratory results report in severe Sars-CoV-2 infection we have supposed a pathogenetic correlation. Atherosclerosis may be a pathogenetic ideal substrate to high viral replication ability leading to adverse outcomes, how reported in patients with cardiovascular factors. Moreover, level of atherosclerotic progression may impact on a different degree of severe infection and in a vicious circle feeding itself Sars-CoV-2 may exacerbate atherosclerotic progression due to excessive and aberrant plasmatic concentration of cytokines.</jats:p>

Sars-CoV-2 and black population: ACE2 as shield or blade?

“…The high prevalence of risk factors for CVD in black population may give a determinant contribution, offering to viral replication a pathogenetic substrate characterized by chronic inflammation of endothelium, to develop more frequently the severe disease leading potentially to death; as also confirmed analyzing retrospectively predisposing risk factors in affected patients (Zhou et al, 2020;Vinciguerra et al, 2020;Varga et al, 2020).…”