Figure 2.

Potential Mechanisms of Vascular Damage and Brain Entry of SARS-CoV-2

Circulating virus, cytokines, DAMPs, and PAMPs could act on endothelial cells, leading to inflammation and opening of the BBB. Once in the perivascular space and these factors could induce inflammation in vascular mural cells and brain resident myeloid cells (microglia and macrophages). The resulting cytokine production could affect neuron neuronal function leading to the cytokine sickness, a potential cause of encephalopathy in COVID-19.