Neuroimmunomodulation . Could SARS-CoV-2 Infection Be a Novel Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis?

[tetano]

Neuroimmunomodulation


. 2022 Mar 2;1-4.
doi: 10.1159/000521891. Online ahead of print.
Could SARS-CoV-2 Infection Be a Novel Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis?


Rehab Magdy ¹ , Mona Hussein ²



Affiliations

• PMID: 35235939
• DOI: 10.1159/000521891

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has challenged the healthcare community worldwide. The SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the respiratory system; however, strong evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can be neuroinvasive, resulting in several neurological complications. It was previously assumed that some coronaviruses are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology via various mechanisms. The mechanisms involved in coronavirus-induced central demyelination are complex and largely redundant. Molecular mimicry was proposed to be one of the possible mechanisms. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier, dysregulation in several inflammatory cytokines, and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases were also thought to induce central demyelinating pathology. This raises a question about the possible role of SARS-CoV-2 as a novel risk factor for MS.

Keywords: Blood-brain barrier; Cytokine storm; Molecular mimicry; Multiple sclerosis; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.