November 30th 2021

CARE paper published in Circulation: Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 with regards to endothelial cells

CARE paper published in Circulation: Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 with regards to endothelial cells

The CARE scientists investigated if the coronavirus infects and damages endothelial cells directly by viral infection or indirectly via neighborhood effects, circulating mediators and immune mechanisms. Endothelial cells build a cell layer that lines blood vessels and regulates exchanges between the blood circulation and surrounding tissues. The generated data indicates that endothelial damage reported in severely ill patients with COVID-19 is more likely secondary to infection of neighboring cells and/or other mechanisms, including immune cells, platelets and complement activation, and circulating proinflammatory cytokines. These findings have implications for therapeutic approaches to tackle vascular damage in severe COVID-19 disease.

To learn more, read the paper in Circulation: Lack of Evidence of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Expression and Replicative Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in Human Endothelial Cells