Fig. 3
From: Severe COVID-19: what have we learned with the immunopathogenesis?
Cytokine Storm from SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 infection cause pyroptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (type II pneumocytes) leading to release of cytokines such as IL-1 ß, IL-18 and IL-33 (alarmins). In turn, IL-1ß stimulates a large amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IL-18 stimulates IFN-γ release by TCD8+ effector cells, Th1 lymphocytes and NK Cells. Endothelial and epithelial damaged cells also release chemokines such as CCL2, CCL3 and CXCL10 that attract myeloid mononuclear cells that release more inflammatory cytokines, creating a positive feedback loop. IL-10 is released as an inefficient attempt to suppress inflammatory process