Emerging data suggest a crucial role of endothelial dysfunction during SARS-CoV-2 infection, as a direct target of the virus and inflammatory cytokines as well as the main actor in orchestrating a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant state in COVID-19 patients. Promising therapies that impact endothelial dysfunction are currently under evaluation.

In severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, emerging data including recent histopathological studies have emphasized the crucial role of endothelial cells (ECs) in vascular dysfunction, immunothrombosis, and inflammation.

Histopathological studies have evidenced direct viral infection of ECs, endotheliitis with diffuse endothelial inflammation, and micro- and macrovascular thrombosis both in the venous and arterial circulations.

Read More