The elderly at risk: aldosterone as modulator of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Geroscience
; 44(2): 567-572, 2022 04.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1503703
ABSTRACT
The elderly population is the most susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and develops the worst clinical phenotype with severe pneumonia and cardiac complications. Older COVID-19 patients are also at higher risk of sudden death, mainly attributable to electrolyte disorders and to an uncontrolled inflammatory response. After the identification of ACE 2 as the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 in human cells, several research studies have focused on the role of the activation of Renin Angiotensin System in COVID-19 clinical course. In the present opinion paper, we discuss the role of hyperaldosteronism in the increasing risk of cardiac complications in COVID-19 older patients. In particular, we focus on the immunoregulatory activity of aldosterone, as the last mediator of the Renin Angiotensin System cascade, in activating the innate and adaptive immune response related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the elderly. Aldosterone may stimulate dendritic cells and the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages in the endothelium of coronary vessels, favoring the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and T-cells response. Higher basal levels of aldosterone together with SARS-CoV-2-induced production may explain the unfavorable course of COVID-19 in the elderly.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Geroscience
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S11357-021-00481-4
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