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Fig. 2 | Virology Journal

Fig. 2

From: Harnessing the immune system to overcome cytokine storm and reduce viral load in COVID-19: a review of the phases of illness and therapeutic agents

Fig. 2

Alveolar micro-environment showing pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The Th response causes the release of IL-17 which activates TNF alpha which enhances epithelial injury and activates neutrophils to cause degranulation. IL-6 is produced by alveolar macrophages which also stimulates neutrophils. Once the epithelial integrity of alveolus is breached epithelial sodium channel (Enac) channels and Na/K channels fail to maintain homeostasis eventually leading to an increase in permeability of capillaries causing exudation of fluids. T reg cells also trigger TGF beta which causes fibrosis to the damaged epithelial membrane. Most of the COVID-19 patients present with ground-glass opacities and fibrosis of their lungs

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Virology Journal

ISSN: 1743-422X