The potential role of exosome on cytokine storm and treatment of severe COVID-19 infection

ABSTRACT

The symptoms of COVID-19 varies from mild to severe. The risk of severe infection occurs about 10% of cases, while the risk of death occurs about 0-14.6% of cases. One of the suspected pathophysiology in cases of severe infection and death of COVID-19 is due to cytokine storms. Exosome plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including severe disease such as sepsis due to cytokine storm. Exosome has been proven as a nanomaterial carrier that can tackle cytokine storm in the treatment of severe COVID-19 infection. Several studies have been conducted for this purpose, and its clinical application continually increases. This review will explore the role of exosomes in cytokine storms that occur in patients with COVID-19 and seek the opportunity to use exosomes in their management. © 2020, Sanglah General Hospital. All rights reserved.