Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier

Erickson, Michelle A.; Rhea, Elizabeth M.; Knopp, Rachel C.; Banks, William A.

doi:10.3390/ijms22052681

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Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier

¹

Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA

²

Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052681

Submission received: 1 February 2021 / Revised: 3 March 2021 / Accepted: 4 March 2021 / Published: 6 March 2021

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease)

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Abstract

Emerging data indicate that neurological complications occur as a consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a critical interface that regulates entry of circulating molecules into the CNS, and is regulated by signals that arise from the brain and blood compartments. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 interactions with the BBB may contribute to neurological dysfunction associated with coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by SARS-CoV-2. We consider aspects of peripheral disease, such as hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome/cytokine storm, as well as CNS infection and mechanisms of viral entry into the brain. We also discuss the contribution of risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 to BBB dysfunction that could increase viral entry or otherwise damage the brain.

Keywords: blood–brain barrier; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; brain; inflammation; thrombosis; hypoxia; APOE

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MDPI and ACS Style

Erickson, M.A.; Rhea, E.M.; Knopp, R.C.; Banks, W.A. Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 2681. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052681

AMA Style

Erickson MA, Rhea EM, Knopp RC, Banks WA. Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(5):2681. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052681

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erickson, Michelle A., Elizabeth M. Rhea, Rachel C. Knopp, and William A. Banks. 2021. "Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 5: 2681. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052681

APA Style

Erickson, M. A., Rhea, E. M., Knopp, R. C., & Banks, W. A. (2021). Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(5), 2681. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052681

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Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the Blood–Brain Barrier

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