Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Primary cilia are solitary membrane-bound organelles emanating from the apical surface of most mammalian cells. They serve as sensory organelles sampling the extracellular environment and reprogramming the transcriptional machinery in response to changes in fluid flow. Ciliopathies, a group of genetic disorders characterized by disrupted cilia structure and/or function, share common phenotypes such as vascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment.

COVID-19 and Neurological Manifestations.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a newly emerged coronavirus, has sparked a global pandemic with its airborne transmission and ability to infect with asymptomatic patients. The pathophysiology is thought to relate to the binding of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the body. These receptors are widely expressed in various body organs such as the lungs, the heart, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and the brain.

Can cilia provide an entry gateway for SARS-CoV-2 to human ciliated cells?

A worldwide coronavirus pandemic is in full swing and, at the time of writing, there are only few treatments that have been successful in clinical trials, but no effective antiviral treatment has been approved. Because of its lethality, it is important to understand the current strain's effects and mechanisms not only in the respiratory system but also in other affected organ systems as well. Past coronavirus outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV inflicted life-threatening acute kidney injuries (AKI) on their hosts leading to significant mortality rates, which went somewhat overlooked in the face of the severe respiratory effects.