Role of aging in blood–brain barrier dysfunction and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection: impacts on neurological symptoms of COVID-19

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / University of Miami. Miller School of Medicine. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Miami, FL, USA.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Laboratório Compartilhado. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Laboratório Compartilhado. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
University of Miami. Miller School of Medicine. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Miami, FL, USA.
University of Miami. Miller School of Medicine. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Miami, FL, USA / The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education. Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences. Katowice, Poland.
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Laboratório Compartilhado. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Abstract

COVID-19, which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in devastating morbidity and mortality worldwide due to lethal pneumonia and respiratory distress. In addition, the central nervous system (CNS) is well documented to be a target of SARS-CoV-2, and studies detected SARS-CoV-2 in the brain and the cerebrospinal fuid of COVID-19 patients. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) was suggested to be the major route of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the brain. Functionally, the BBB is created by an interactome between endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons, which form the neurovascular units (NVU). However, at present, the interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the NVU and the outcomes of this process are largely unknown. Moreover, age was described as one of the most prominent risk factors for hospitalization and deaths, along with other comorbidities such as diabetes and co-infections. This review will discuss the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the NVU, the expression profle of SARS-CoV-2 receptors in the diferent cell types of the CNS and the possible role of aging in the neurological outcomes of COVID-19. A special emphasis will be placed on mitochondrial functions because dysfunctional mitochondria are also a strong inducer of infammatory reactions and the “cytokine storm” associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we will discuss possible drug therapies to treat neural endothelial function in aged patients, and, thus, alleviate the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Keywords in Portuguese

COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
Sintomas neurológicos
Papel do envelhecimento
Barreira hematoencefálica

Keywords

COVID-19
SARS‑CoV‑2
Neurological symptoms
Role of aging
Blood–Brain Barrier dysfunction

Publisher

BMC

Citation

ADESSE, Daniel et al. Role of aging in blood–brain barrier dysfunction and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection: impacts on neurological symptoms of COVID-19. Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, v. 19, n. 63, p. 1-19, 18 Aug. 2022.

DOI

10.1186/s12987-022-00357-5

ISSN

2045-8118

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/55424

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Open access

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