Cited by 1,288COVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesChemokine receptors and signalingSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research

The cytokine storm in COVID-19: an overview of the involvement of the chemokine/chemokine-receptor system

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Coperchini, Francesca, Chiovato, Luca, Croce, Laura, Magri, Flavia, Rotondi, Mario·2020·Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews

Abstract

In 2019-2020 a new coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the causative agent of a several acute respiratory infection named COVID-19, which is causing a worldwide pandemic. There are still many unresolved questions regarding the pathogenesis of this disease and especially the reasons underlying the extremely different clinical course, ranging from asymptomatic forms to severe manifestations, including the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). SARS-CoV-2 showed phylogenetic similarities to both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses, and some of the clinical features are shared between COVID-19 and previously identified beta-coronavirus infections. Available evidence indicate that the so called "cytokine storm" an uncontrolled over-production of soluble markers of inflammation which, in turn, sustain an aberrant systemic inflammatory response, is a major responsible for the occurrence of ARDS. Chemokines are low molecular weight proteins with powerful chemoattractant activity which play a role in the immune cell recruitment during inflammation. This review will be aimed at providing an overview of the current knowledge on the involvement of the chemokine/chemokine-receptor system in the cytokine storm related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Basic and clinical evidences obtained from previous SARS and MERS epidemics and available data from COVID-19 will be taken into account.

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  • T helper (Th)-1 and Th-2 cytokines are elevated in the serum of COVID-19 patients in a cytokine storm typically associated with the illness.

    “T helper (Th)-1 cytokines, including Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, Interferon (IFN)-γ, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, CXCL10, and CCL2; and Th-2 cytokines, including IL-4, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist are all elevated in the serum of COVID-19 patients (Coperchini et al., 2020) in a “cytokine storm” typically associated with the illness.”

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Authors
Coperchini, F., Chiovato, L., Croce, L., Magri, F., & Rotondi, M.
Affiliations
  • Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri (IT)
  • University of Pavia (IT)
Corresponding author
Rotondi, Mario
Venue
Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-06
Volume
53
Pages
25-32
ISSN
1359-6101 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3021577619
Cited by
1,288
References
106
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 92 · 2023: 158 · 2022: 274 · 2021: 443 · 2020: 257
FWCI
13.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Chemokine receptors and signaling
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Keywords
cytokine storm, COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, chemokines, chemokine receptors, acute respiratory distress syndrome, systemic inflammation, immune cell recruitment, SARS, MERS, betacoronaviruses, disease severity
MeSH terms
Betacoronavirus, Cytokine Release Syndrome, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Humans, Pneumonia, Viral, Coronavirus Infections, Chemokines, Receptors, Chemokine, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Pandemics

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