Mechanisms of Lung Injury Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

The lung is the major target organ of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes COVID-19. Here, we outline the multi-step mechanisms of lung epithelial and endothelial injury induced by SARS-CoV-2: direct viral infection, chemokine/cytokine-mediated damage, and immune cell-mediated lung injury. Finally, we discuss the recent progress in terms of anti-viral therapeutics as well as the development of anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches. This review also provides a systematic overview of the models for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection, and discusses how an understanding of mechanisms of lung injury will help identify potential targets for future drug development to mitigate lung injury.