Upregulating Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Expression May Prevent Severe COVID-19 Inflammatory Responses and Reduce Microthrombosis.

COVID-19 is characterized by hyperactivation by inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils, and other immune cells, all hallmarks of a strong inflammatory response that can lead to severe complications and multi-organ damage. Mortality in COVID-19 patients is associated with a high prevalence of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and microthrombosis that are exacerbated by hyperglycemia, diabetes, and old age. SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and non-human primates have revealed long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19, possibly concomitant with the formation of Lewy bodies in the brain and invasion of the nervous system the olfactory bulb.