Literature review: cytokine storm produced by COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 infection has become a global public health problem. The potential mortality it represents has led to the investigation of its pathophysiology and involvement at the cellular level, in addition, the infection can be complicated by the development of respiratory failure, septic shock, thromboembolism, acute renal failure, multi-organ failure, among others. New research concludes that mortality from COVID-19 is associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are produced in the lungs. The aim of this review is to provide a narrative view of the literature based on the COVID-19 cytokine storm in the general population. A critical and systematic search was carried out in scientific journals, analyzing the publications referring to the cytokine storm caused by COVID-19. For the bibliographic review, 197 citations were analyzed, which were submitted to inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 49 articles selected for the present review. The results showed that cytokines act in intercellular communication and signaling, with a direct action on the activation of antimicrobial functions. In a viral process, the natural immune response intervenes in defense, mainly with the release of IFN-? / ? and IFN-I, especially the latter, which is considered an important antiviral molecule during the early stages. COVID-19 stimulates uncontrolled and excessive immune responses, with hypersecretion of cytokines, implicated in endothelial cell apoptosis, damage to the pulmonary vascular barrier, and diffuse alveolar damage, which eventually lead to hypoxia, multi-organ failure and death