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Pyroptosis targeting via mitochondria: an educated guess to fast-track COVID-19 therapies
  • Michelangelo Campanella,
  • Aarti Singh,
  • Daniela Strobbe
Michelangelo Campanella
Royal Veterinary College, University of London

Corresponding Author:mcampanella@rvc.ac.uk

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Aarti Singh
Royal Veterinary College, University of London
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Daniela Strobbe
University of Rome Tor Vergata Department of Biology
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Abstract

Pyroptosis, is a specialized form of inflammatory cell death which aids the defensive response against invading pathogens. Its tight regulation is lost during infection by the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and thus uncontrolled pyroptosis disrupts the immune system and the integrity of organs defining the critical conditions in patients with high viral load. Molecular pathways engaged downstream to the formation and stabilization of the inflammasome -required to execute the process- have been uncovered and drugs are available for their regulation. On the contrary, pharmacological inferring of the upstream events -which are critical to sense and interpret the initial damage by the pathogen- is far from being elucidated. This limits our capacity to identify early markers and targets to ameliorate SARS-CoV-2 linked pyroptosis. Here we aim to raise attention on mitochondria and pathways leading to its dysfunction with the goal to inform early steps of inflammasome and devise tools to interpret and counteract diseases by the SARS-CoV-2.
09 Apr 2021Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
09 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
09 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
18 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 May 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Jun 20211st Revision Received
17 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
17 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Accept