COVID-19 biology: cytokine storms and their implications

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95545-4.00009-8

COVID-19 disease presents in asymptomatic and various symptomatic forms among individuals. It is thought to be caused by the immune response of individuals. In severe and critical cases, it is clear that an uncontrolled immune response emerges. The excessive immune response induced by the virus plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19. Studies conducted so far indicate that developing cytokine storms form the basis of the severity of the disease in the immune pathogenesis of COVID-19. The cytokine storm, which takes shape as a result of the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, is held responsible for the progression of the disease to acute respiratory distress syndrome, critical stage, and organ damage. It is clear that the cytokine storm and some cytokines have an important function in disease progression. In this chapter, we reviewed data on cytokine profiles affecting the severity of COVID-19 to support the fight to manage this extremely lethal pandemic disease.