Do free radical NETwork and oxidative stress disparities in African Americans enhance their vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity?
Autor
Kalyanaraman, Balaraman
Institución
Resumen
This review focuses on the hypothetical mechanisms for enhanced vulnerability of African
Americans to SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 severity, and increased deaths. A
disproportionately higher number of African Americans are afflicted with autoimmune and
inflammatory diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, obesity), and SARS-CoV-2 has helped
expose these health disparities. Several factors including socioeconomic status, inferior health
care, and work circumstances contribute to these disparities. Identifying potential inflammatory
biomarkers and decreasing basal levels in high-risk individuals with comorbidities through
preventive measures is critical. Immune cells, particularly neutrophils, protect us against
pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) through increased generation of free radicals or
oxidants and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that ensnare pathogens, killing them extracellularly. However, continued generation of NETs coupled with the lack of prompt removal
pose danger to host cells. NET levels are increased during pro-inflammatory diseases. COVID19 patients exhibit elevated NET levels, depending upon disease severity. Conceivably, highrisk individuals with elevated basal NET levels would exhibit hyper-inflammation when infected
with SARS-CoV-2, amplifying disease severity and deaths. Drugs inhibiting oxidant formation
and vitamin supplements decreased NET formation in mice models of inflammation. Thus,
preventive treatments lowering NET levels and inflammation in high-risk individuals could
mitigate SARS-CoV-2-induced complications and decrease mortality.