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.

The elderly at risk: aldosterone as modulator of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection / Campana, P.; Palaia, M. E.; Conte, M.; Cante, T.; Petraglia, L.; Femminella, G. D.; Parisi, V.; Leosco, D.. - In: GEROSCIENCE. - ISSN 2509-2715. - (2021). [10.1007/s11357-021-00481-4]

The elderly at risk: aldosterone as modulator of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Campana P.;Palaia M. E.;Conte M.;Cante T.;Petraglia L.;Femminella G. D.;Parisi V.;Leosco D.
2021

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.
2021
The elderly at risk: aldosterone as modulator of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection / Campana, P.; Palaia, M. E.; Conte, M.; Cante, T.; Petraglia, L.; Femminella, G. D.; Parisi, V.; Leosco, D.. - In: GEROSCIENCE. - ISSN 2509-2715. - (2021). [10.1007/s11357-021-00481-4]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/874299
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 10
social impact