Liver Injury in COVID-19: Holds Ferritinophagy-mediated Ferroptosis Accountable
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Even in patients without a history of liver disease, liver injury caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is gradually becoming more common. However, the precise pathophysiological mechanisms behind COVID-19's liver pathogenicity are still not fully understood. We hypothesize that inflammation may become worse by cytokine storms caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Elevated ferritin levels can initiate ferritinophagy mediated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), which leads to iron elevation, and ferroptosis. In COVID-19 patients, ferroptosis can be restricted to reduce disease severity and liver damage by targeting NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy. To confirm the role of ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection, further research is required.
Jia F, Han J Cell Death Discov. 2024; 10(1):146.
PMID: 38503730 PMC: 10951317. DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01915-6.