SARS-CoV-2 infection: NLRP3 inflammasome as plausible target to prevent cardiopulmonary complications?

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Sep;24(17):9169-9171. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202009_22867.

Abstract

NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome has recently become an intriguing target of several chronic and viral diseases. Here, we argue that targeting NLRP3 inflammasome could be a strategy to prevent cardiovascular outcomes [fulminant myocarditis, heart failure, venous thromboembolism (VTE)] and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We discuss the rationale for NLRP3 targeting in clinical trials as an effective therapeutic strategy aimed to improve prognosis of COVID-19, analyzing the potential of two therapeutic options (tranilast and OLT1177) currently available in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / isolation & purification
  • COVID-19
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / prevention & control
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism*
  • Nitriles / therapeutic use
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Prognosis
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Venous Thromboembolism / prevention & control
  • ortho-Aminobenzoates / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nitriles
  • ortho-Aminobenzoates
  • dapansutrile
  • tranilast