SARS-CoV-2 Targeting the Retina: Host-virus Interaction and Possible Mechanisms of Viral Tropism
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 10 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent studies demonstrated not only retinal impairments but also detected SARS-CoV-2 in the retina of patients with COVID-19.Purpose: This letter discusses the retinal tropism of SARS-CoV-2, describing possible routes for this coronavirus to reach the retina and cellular mechanisms involved in the retinal cell infection.Conclusions: Determining how SARS-CoV-2 can affect the retinal tissue is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies and preventive measures, as well as for understanding the possible relationship between COVID-19 damage to the retina and to the brain.
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There has been no evidence for a role of innate immune cells in SARS-CoV-2 gaining access to the retina or the brain, although the virus has been found in both organs.
“Furthermore, there has been no evidence for the role of innate immune cells in SARS-CoV-2 gaining access to the retina (de Figueiredo et al., 2020) or the brain (Song et al., 2021), albeit the virus has been found in both organs.”
From COVID-19 and the human innate immune system (2021) · cites this paper as de Figueiredo et al., 2020
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- Authors
- de Figueiredo, C. S., Raony, Í., & Giestal-de-Araujo, E.
- Affiliations
- Department of Neurobiology, Program of Neurosciences, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
- Universidade Federal Fluminense (BR)
- Venue
- Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-09-18
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1301-1304
- ISSN
- 0927-3948 (ISSN-L)
- 1744-5078
- OpenAlex
- W3087194269
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 10
- FWCI
- 4.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Ocular Immunology and Inflammation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Retinal and Optic Conditions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Keywords
- SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pandemic, retinal infection, host-virus interaction, ocular manifestations of COVID-19
- MeSH terms
- Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Humans, Pneumonia, Viral, Retina, Eye Infections, Viral, Coronavirus Infections, Viral Tropism, Pandemics
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