Fig. 1 | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Fig. 1

From: Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for severe COVID-19

Fig. 1

Proposed mechanisms for MSC action in patients with severe COVID-19. At first, SARS-CoV-2 primarily occupies the respiratory tract including the lung; the infiltration of immune cells (neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, NK, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, Th17, and B cells) increases; then cytokine storms (including IFN-α, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α) occur. Hyaline membrane formation, the release of cellular fibromyxoid exudates, and pneumocyte desquamation are also observed. After stem-cell infusion, the number of infiltrated immune cells decreases significantly, and the damaged lung tissue is repaired. MSCs play a role in regeneration and immune regulation, but the detailed mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be fully elucidated

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