Neurological Symptoms of COVID-19: The Zonulin Hypothesis

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2021 May 13

PMID 33981312

Citations 18

Authors

Silvia Llorens

Eduardo Nava

Monica Munoz-Lopez

Alvaro Sanchez-Larsen

Tomas Segura

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The irruption of SARS-CoV-2 during 2020 has been of pandemic proportions due to its rapid spread and virulence. COVID-19 patients experience respiratory, digestive and neurological symptoms. Distinctive symptom as anosmia, suggests a potential neurotropism of this virus. Amongst the several pathways of entry to the nervous system, we propose an alternative pathway from the infection of the gut, involving Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), zonulin, protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and zonulin brain receptor. Possible use of zonulin antagonists could be investigated to attenuate neurological manifestations caused by SARS-CoV-19 infection.

Citing Articles

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