Cytokine storm and stem cell activation in unveiling potential targets for diagnosis and therapy

ABSTRACT

Cytokine storms illustrate a robust, uncontrolled immune response that can severely disrupt the physiology of a person infected with a virus such as COVID-19. Cytokine storms during the most severe of COVID-19 infections are believed to be one of the major contributing factors to mortality and severe pathologic outcomes of the disease. Dysregulated levels of cytokines during a cytokine storm contribute to changes in different components of the local microenvironments including the stem cell components. Here, we review the pathophysiology of cytokine storms looking at different aspects of viral-induced cytokine release. In particular, we note the changes in the stem cell compartments that occur as well as therapeutic targets relying on targeting stem cells. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.