Dysregulation in erythrocyte dynamics caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection: possible role in shuffling the homeostatic puzzle during COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction

The evolving COVID-19 pandemic became a hallmark in human history, not only by changing lifestyles, but also by enriching scientific knowledge on viral infection and its consequences.

Objective

Although the management of cardiorespiratory changes is pivotal to a favorable prognosis during severe clinical findings, dysregulation of other systems caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection may imbalance erythrocyte dynamics, such as a bidirectional positive feedback loop pathophysiology.

Method and Results

Recent evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is capable of affecting the genetics and dynamics of erythrocytes and this coexists with a non-homeostatic function of cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems during COVID-19. In hypothesis, SARS-CoV-2-induced systematical alterations of erythrocytes dynamics would constitute a setpoint for COVID-19-related multiple organ failure syndrome and death.

Conclusion

The present review covers the most frequent erythrocyte-related non-homeostatic findings during COVID-19 capable of providing mechanistic clues of SARS-CoV-2-induced infection and inspiring therapeutic-oriented scientific evidence.

Keywords
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Erythrocyte; Hemoglobin; Hemorphins