Devika Mathrani Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing & Communications Officer | New York Presbyterian Hospital
Devika Mathrani Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing & Communications Officer | New York Presbyterian Hospital
Severe COVID-19 has been linked to the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on mitochondria, according to a study conducted by researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the University of Pittsburgh. The study suggests that this mitochondrial damage can trigger a series of harmful events affecting organs and the immune system.
Traditionally viewed as an inflammatory "cytokine storm" condition, severe COVID-19 involves an excessive immune response that floods tissues with signaling proteins, causing lung inflammation and other symptoms. Published in PNAS on November 27, the new research provides insights into these molecular pathways through RNA sequencing and other techniques on tissue samples from patients and animal models.
Dr. Robert Schwartz from Weill Cornell Medicine led efforts in providing patient materials for analysis. The findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection damages mitochondria in cells, activating the immune system and contributing to inflammatory responses.
One significant response is the overactivation of the renin-angiotensin-activation-system (RAAS), which regulates blood pressure. This overactivity is linked to abnormal blood clotting seen in severe COVID-19 cases and scarring-like abnormalities in lymph nodes affecting immune cell function.
Dr. Schwartz noted that early mitochondrial dysfunction drives RAAS overactivation, leading to multi-organ damage associated with severe COVID-19. He expressed concern about whether these processes return to normal post-infection, especially regarding "long COVID," characterized by lingering inflammation and immune cell issues.
The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Defense. Researchers continue to explore long-term effects related to these findings.
For transparency regarding collaborations between Weill Cornell Medicine physicians and external organizations, disclosures are available on Dr. Robert Schwartz's profile.
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