The main target organ of
2019 novel coronavirus(
2019-nCoV)was the
lung and
acute respiratory distress syndrome, a
life-threatening condition, could happen in severe cases.The main receptor of
2019-nCoV is
angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2). Other receptors reported included CD147,
tyrosine protein kinase receptor UFO,
Neuropilin-1,
Kidney injury molecule-1, et al.When
2019-nCoV is bound with ACE2, the expression of ACE2 would be down-regulated, which causes an increased
angiotensin level and consequent
lung injury through
downstream signals.In addition, 2019-nCoV infection can induce inflammatory
cytokine storm, cause coagulation dysfunction, trigger
lung epithelial cell apoptosis, et al, which collaboratively contribute to
lung injury.The clinical symptoms of 2019-nCoV infection in
children are mild, which is
thought due to the advantages of
children in
innate immune response and the low level of
adaptive immune response.The fundamental means to prevent and treat
lung injury was inhibiting the proliferation and replication of the
2019-nCoV virus, but so far, there are no specific
antiviral drugs found yet.Approaches like recombinant
human soluble
ACE2 protein,
neutralizing antibody against
protein S, inhibiting
angiotensinⅡ, contradicting
inflammation factors, or
stem cell infusion may be helpful to prevent and alleviate
lung injury.