SARS-CoV-2, an Underestimated Pathogen of the Nervous System

Abstract

Numerous clinical studies have reported neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients since the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), apart from the atypical signs of pneumonia. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), a potential receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry, is expressed on various brain cells and cerebral parts, i.e., subfornical organ, paraventricular nucleus, nucleus of the tractus solitarius, and rostral ventrolateral medulla, as well as in non-cardiovascular areas such as the motor cortex and raphe. The resident CNS cells like astrocytes and microglia also express ACE-2, thus highlighting the vulnerability of the nervous system to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and furin facilitate virus entry into the host. Besides, the probable routes of virus entry into the nervous system include the hematogenic pathway, through the vagus, the olfactory nerve, or the enteric nervous system. However, the trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 to the brain needs investigation. Furthermore, a Th17-mediated cytokine storm is seen in COVID-19 cases with higher levels of IL-1β/2/7/8/9/10/17, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, CXCL-10, MCP1, and MIP1α/β. Some cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier and activate the brain’s immune cells to produce neural cytokines, leading to neuronal dysfunctions. Nonetheless, most of the neurological conditions developed due to viral infections may not have effective and registered treatments. Although, some antivirals may inhibit the virus-mediated pathogenesis and prove to be suitable in COVID-19 treatment. Therefore, clinicians’ and researchers’ collective expertise may unravel the potential of SARS-CoV-2 infection to prevent short-term and long-term CNS damage.

Introduction

The initial cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection appeared in December 2019 in Hubei province, China [1]. Since then, it has become a global threat. Besides systemic and respiratory ailments, 36.4% of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients developed neurological symptoms [2]. Additionally, taste, smell, and visual impairments are reported in several cases of COVID-19 [2]. SARS-CoV-2, a human CoV (HCoV) belongs to β-coronaviruses, and various clinical and pre-clinical studies have reported potential neurovirulent properties of these viruses [3]. Furthermore, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of COVID-19 patients is confirmed through genome sequencing [4]; however, experimental evidence is needed to validate virus-mediated neurological damage. Moreover, acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy (ANE) was observed in brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of a COVID-19 patient [5]. This rare complication is often associated with intracranial cytokine storms and points towards the indirect mode of SARS-CoV-2 influence on the brain [5]. Also, a detailed study of brain tissue distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), a potential receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry [6], may shed light on potential SARS-CoV-2-induced neurological alterations. Elaborate ACE-2 expression studies state that the receptor is preferentially expressed in the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, and on the surface of a variety of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) cells [7–9]. Additional plausible entry routes to the brain may include the hematogenic pathway, transmission through the vagus, the olfactory nerve, or the enteric neuron (Fig. 1a) [10]. In brief, here we recapitulate varied aspects of COVID-19-related neurological manifestations.

Fig. 1.

a Virus entry routes into the central nervous system (CNS). (I) The virus in the bloodstream may infect the peripheral immune cells. These infected leukocytes may traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB) composed of specialized tight junctions, endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes. In addition, the virus may also cross the BBB which could be severed due to the action of the cytokines or may enter the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by direct interaction with the brain microvascular endothelium cells. Both the mechanisms result in alterations in the brain homeostasis and aggravate cytokine production within the CNS (II) Several viruses like HSV and influenza viruses are known to infect the olfactory epithelial membrane. SARS-CoV-2 may also infect and damage olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the epithelium lining. The damage may be direct or due to the production of cytokines produced by the accessory cells in the olfactory system. The virus may anterogradely reach the olfactory bulb through the cribriform plate. Finally, the virus may potentially gain entry into the CNS through the mitral cells along the olfactory tract. (III) Alpha herpesviruses (e.g. HSV-1, PRV) and polio virus (PV) along with rabies viruses (RV) may migrate to the CNS through the peripheral nerves. (i) Viruses may infect the mucosal epithelium following infection of the axonal termini of the peripheral nerves. The virus may spread to the spinal cord through retrograde axonal transport. (ii) Viruses infect the smooth muscle cells and spread through the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) from muscles into the sensory/motor neurons of PNS ganglia. (IV) The gastrointestinal epithelium expresses ACE-2 receptors. Therefore, the cells may be easily infected by the virus. The virus may directly invade the enteric nervous system or indirectly it may prime the immune cells which may result in delayed neurological impairment. b SARS-CoV-2-mediated cytokine storm. After attachment and entry into the epithelial cells through ACE-2 receptor, the virus may activate the pro-inflammatory pathway through TLR or NF-κB signaling followed by the formation of inflammasome. Various pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines released due to this autonomous intrinsic defense mechanism include CCL-2, CCL-4, CXCL-10, and IL-6. These proteins attract various immune cells in the circulation like the monocytes, macrophages, T cells, and neutrophils at the site of infection. Additionally, the situation is worsened by production of TNF-β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-12, and IL-23 by the T lymphocytes, which further accumulate the immune cells establishing a pro-inflammatory feed-back loop. These cytokines may damage the BBB and activate astrocytes and microglia, the CNS resident immune cells. In response, the activated microglia and astrocytes produce IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8. Elevated levels of these inflammatory cytokines can impart neurotoxic effects leading to neuronal dysfunction and various CNS disease–associated pathologies

Clinical Outcomes of Virus-Mediated Brain Dysfunction: More Prevalent Than Acknowledged?

The association of viruses with neural disorders is widely popular, although the relativity is still disputed. Neurodegenerative diseases, affecting approximately 37 million people worldwide, include degenerative ailments of the nervous system—the brain, spinal cord, and nerves [11]. Numerous genomic and proteomic studies unravel the similarities between virus-mediated and classical neurodegeneration or neuropathies [12, 13]. Viruses introduce alterations in the functioning of neurons directly or indirectly. The neurotropic viruses afflict neurons through cell lysis, necrosis, or apoptosis [14]. Indirectly, the viruses damage the neurons by manipulating or attacking the host immune responses. In the CNS, the virus can activate both the adaptive and innate immune responses [15]. Common pathways involved in the activation of the immune responses include the TLR mostly 3, 7, and 8 mediated damage, the release of free radicals, and inflammation [15]. Although, not always does the CNS immune response lead to detrimental outcomes as they usually assist in repair and regeneration [15].

Multiple studies mention the corroboration of infectious respiratory organisms as causative agents of various neurological diseases [16]. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to infect the lower respiratory tract, cause infections in the immunocompromised patients, and target the CNS [16]. Often the virus is detected in the CSF samples of the patients exhibiting symptoms like seizures and convulsions, along with signs of ataxia, hormonal dysfunction, and encephalopathies [16]. Also, in vivo studies demonstrate the movement of the virus intranasally to the CNS [10]. Another respiratory virus that affects the infants and has neurovirulent abilities is the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) [17]. The virus is substantially detected in encephalopathic patients’ CSF samples, although studies demonstrating the virus’ neuroinvasive properties are to be conducted [18]. Furthermore, Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) affect humans and cause lung damage, pneumonia, along with hemorrhagic and necrotizing alveolitis [19]. Typical signs of neurological disturbance, including convulsions, seizures with motor deficits, and febrile encephalitic syndrome, are observed due to infection caused by these zoonotic viruses [19]. Animal studies show the olfactory nerve to be the main route to the CNS [20].

Also, the flu-causing influenza viruses account for numerous seasonal epidemics with a severe lethality rate, approximately a million cases per year [21]. Additionally, the viruses also affect the brain and are linked to encephalitis, febrile seizure, acute necrotizing encephalopathy, and syndromes like the Reye syndrome and Guillain–Barré syndrome [22]. According to some animal studies, the influenza virus can alter the brain homeostasis by traveling to the brain through the vagus nerve or the olfactory route [23, 24]. Intriguing, its association with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) is also mentioned [25]. Many encephalitis lethargica and postencephalitic parkinsonism cases followed by the 1918 “Spanish” flu pandemic, caused by influenza A (H1N1), make the involvement of the flu virus evident [26]. Viruses like the enteroviruses polioviruses (PV), coxsackieviruses (CV), echoviruses, and human rhinoviruses (HRV) are known to invade the CNS [27]. Studies describe HRV-induced meningitis and cerebellitis [27]. EV-A71 (hand–foot–mouth disease (HFMD)) and D68 outbreaks are associated with neurological complexities like myelitis (AFM), meningitis, and encephalitis [27].

The HCoVs can aggravate various neuropathologies. HCoVs are related to the neuroinvasive animal CoVs like porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus, feline CoV, and the mouse hepatitis virus, which is used to generate MS models [28, 29]. Furthermore, a study conducted to demonstrate the relation between the HCoVs (229E and OC43) with MS and other neurological disorders involves identifying viral RNA in human brain autopsies [30]. Importantly, CoV-OC43 and CoV-229E are found in the CSF of PD patients [31]. However, detailed studies are needed to differentiate the mere presence and virus-associated disease alterations. In addition, association of SARS-CoV is not just limited to the lungs; instead, it is known to infect many organs, including the CNS [7, 32–34]. The real-time quantitative PCR assay targeting the polymerase (orf1ab) and nucleocapsid region of the SARS-CoV confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV in CSF and serum of the infected patients [35, 36]. A report suggests the association of status epilepticus with SARS [35]. Hospitalized children with the acute encephalitis-like syndrome were positive for anti-SARS-CoV IgM [37]. SARS-CoV is associated with demyelinating pathology and found in the brain parenchyma of MS patients [5, 28]. Neurological symptoms are also associated with MERS-CoV [38]. These examples impress on the connection of HCoVs with neurological dysfunctions. Therefore, the association of neurological complications with SARS-CoV-2 is not surprising.

According to a case report of SARS-CoV-2 infection, virus RNA was determined in the patient’s CSF; however, the nasopharyngeal swabs tested negative [4]. Currently, evidence to state the neuropathogenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 remains scarce. Nevertheless, reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can cause meningitis and encephalitis [4]. Variable neurological symptoms are displayed by the COVID-19 patients like PNS symptoms, including hypogeusia, hyposmia, hypoplasia, and neuralgia vertigo, and CNS dysfunctions like cephalgia, impaired consciousness, seizures, ataxia, and acute cerebrovascular disease, with headache and dizziness being the most common [39, 40]. Neurological manifestations are common in many COVID-19 patients like anosmia, an early COVID-19 symptom [2, 41–43]. Though seizures are seldom reported in COVID-19 patients, and usually indicate an ischemic stroke, meningitis, or cerebral hypoxia, its association with comorbidities like hypocalcemia or drugs remains elusive [44].

The neurological alterations caused by the virus may result from direct CNS/PNS attack or indirect influence on various organs that later affect the nervous system. For example, hypertension, common COVID-19 comorbidity, results in blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment and may enhance the risk of COVID-19-related cerebral complexities [45, 46]. A hypothesis relates neuronal damage to the respiratory stress from deteriorated lung conditions [47]. The oxygen deprivation may result in multiple organ failure and may affect the brain [47]. Besides, patients considered during the earlier studies of the SARS-CoV pandemic displayed axonal motor sensory neuropathy and myopathy [48]. However, it remains unclear if the illness was virus-mediated or an outcome of high drug doses [48]. Nevertheless, the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 on PNS is noteworthy as Guillain-Barre, Miller-Fisher syndrome, and polyneuritis cranialis are reported in COVID-19 [49–54]. Development of rhabdomyolysis, neuralgia, and myalgia in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients further support the virus’ ability to affect PNS [52–54]. A study reported elevated creatinine kinase and muscle pain in 10.7% of patients with severe COVID-19 [2]. Furthermore, some COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms might have a prior history of neurological complications or maybe treated for viral infections. Hence, it is necessary to treat such cases using drugs with properties of high bioavailability in the brain. We have summarized information like the mode of action and brain or CSF/plasma ratio of a few antivirals, which have shown promising outcomes in COVID-19 treatment (Table 1) [70, 71]. The use of efficient BBB penetrating drugs may be preferred during this pandemic to minimize the onset of neurological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Table 1.

Antiviral drugs proposed in COVID-19 treatment along with their mechanism of action, associated complications, and CSF to plasma ratio

Drug name	Mechanism	Viruses affected by the drug	Brain/plasma ratio	Neurological complications the drug is active against
Lopinavir/ ritonavir	Inhibit the viral proteases	HIV	0.02%/1.23% [55]	HAND [56]
Darunavir	Inhibit the viral proteases	HIV	0.88% [57]	HAND [57]
Favipiravir	Inhibit the viral proteases	Influenza A and B	Low [58]	–
Remdesivir	Nucleotide analog - blocks viral nucleotide synthesis to stop viral replication	Ebola virus	< 5% [59]	–
Ribavirin	Inhibit viral polymerase	RSV, hepatitis C virus	70% [60]	Nipah virus–associated encephalitis [61], neurocognitive conditions[62]
Oseltamivir	Inhibit viral neuraminidase	Influenza A and B	2.1%[63]	Influenza-associated encephalitis [64, 65], PD [66]
Amantadine	Inhibits viral M2 protein (an ion channel)	Influenza A	76% [67]*	Influenza-associated encephalitis [68], PD [69]

*CSF/serum ratio. HAND HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, PD Parkinson’s disease, RSV respiratory syncytial virus. The brain to plasma ratio or CSF to plasma ratio has been denoted for each drug assuming that brain penetration is similar between rodents, non-human primates, and human patients

Neurological Alterations Due to Cytokine Storm: a Result of Host Immunity and SARS-CoV-2 Combat

Indirectly the viruses may damage the neurons by manipulating or attacking the host immunity [15]. In the CNS, SARS-CoV-2 can activate both the adaptive and innate immunity [15]. T helper cell 17 (Th17)–mediated cytokine storm, evident in virus infections, is seen in COVID-19 with neurological manifestations (Fig. 1b) [72, 73]. Clinical studies report systemic inflammation involving enhanced cytokines, particularly IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), MCP-1, macrophage inflammatory proteins 1-α, and tumor necrosis factor α in COVID-19. Additionally CD4+ and CD8+ T cell lymphopenia and decreased secretion of IFN-γ in severe cases of COVID-19 are reported (Fig. 1a) [28, 37, 72]. Intriguingly, a study suggests that an MS patient undergoing ocrelizumab (an immunosuppressive drug) therapy diagnosed positive for COVID-19 does not display serious complications [74]. The increased levels of cytokines may escalate vascular and BBB permeability and inflammation [74, 75]. This information supports the hypothesis that increased BBB permeability allows virus entry into the CNS, leading to COVID-19-related neurological complexities. Some cytokines released in the circulation can cross the BBB and activate the resident brain immune cells like microglia and astrocytes to produce neural cytokines, further worsening the condition (Fig. 1b) [76]. Astrocytes regulate a wide variety of functions, which may aggravate neuroinflammation. Microglia mature into macrophages and may engulf the neighboring neurons on activation [77, 78]. Furthermore, microglia are the primary source of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species [77]. Microglia express ACE-2, along with ACE and AT1 [79]. These receptors play a significant role in microglia activation and balance the pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects [80]. More specifically, SARS-CoV-2 infection can hamper the ACE-2-mediated signaling, creating a glitch in the AT1 receptor-mediated path, thereby inducing a pro-inflammatory response [80]. In vivo studies suggest induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in microglia and the mouse brain and spinal cord [81]. The situation becomes dreadful when the pro-inflammatory substances produced by astrocytes and microglia fenestrate the BBB [77, 78].

Besides, SARS-CoV infects the myeloid cells and manipulates the innate immune system to ease its propagation to other tissues (Fig. 1a) [82]. These persistently infected leukocytes act as reservoirs of the neuroinvasive HCoV and can be held responsible for long-term neurological sequelae [83]. Therefore, the possibility of such cases of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection may appear in the future. Notably, peripheral inflammatory reactions observed in COVID-19 may result in symptoms of neurological disorders [84]. Cytokine storms may influence the CNS and enhance the severity of COVID-19 patients to develop ANE, meningitis, and hemorrhage [5, 85]. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the mechanism behind SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storms and the course of release of the cytokines during the infection. The contribution of the pro-inflammatory cytokines alone and the direct tissue damage caused by the virus needs to be addressed. The indirect influence of systemic inflammation on the CNS by targeting the pro-inflammatory mediators will be worth investigating.

ACE-2 Dependent and Independent Infection of the Nervous System in COVID-19

It is found that ACE-2 is expressed in various brain regions, like the subfornical organ, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, and rostral ventrolateral medulla, as well as in non-cardiovascular areas such as the motor cortex and raphe [86]. According to a spatial distribution analysis, ACE-2 is expressed in substantia nigra and brain ventricles [87–89]. The protein’s cell type distribution revealed both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, pericytes and endothelial cells, and glial cells like astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in human middle temporal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex express ACE-2, unlike the cells in the region of the prefrontal cortex [9]. Additionally, the hippocampus has few ACE-2 expressing cells [9]. Studies report that angiotensin II downregulates the expression of ACE-2 in neonatal rat cerebellar or medullary astrocytes [90]. Therefore, the predominant expression of ACE-2 in the brain hints towards the virus’s potential to infect the CNS.

Furthermore, brain endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels express ACE-2 [7]. The virus may enter into the CNS through the hematogenic pathway, subsequently crossing the BBB [91]. A post-mortem study of the frontal lobe of a COVID-19 patient reports virus presence in neurons and capillary endothelial cells [92]. Infection of endothelial cells may allow the virus to pass from the respiratory tract to the blood. The virus in the peripheral system can move into the cerebral circulation, where the blood’s sluggish movement may facilitate the viral S protein interaction with the ACE-2 expressed on the endothelial lining of the brain (Fig. 1a) [93]. Another speculated entry route for SARS-CoV-2 may be through the enteric nervous system upon infection of enterocytes [94, 95]. Enterocytes express high magnitudes of ACE-2 [7]. Once inside the brain, the virus can infect the neural cells, astrocytes, and microglia. These cells express ACE-2, thus initiating the viral budding cycle followed by neuronal damage and inflammation (Fig. 1a) [96].

Moreover, multiple transcriptome studies show and validate ACE-2 expression levels in various non-neuronal cells of olfactory mucosa [97]. Studies support the viral susceptibility of the mucosal cells, sustentacular cells, Bowman’s cells, and olfactory stem cells [98, 99]. Loss of smell in COVID-19 is marked by potential deterioration of olfactory stem cells and other accessory cells [98]. Also, a high-throughput single-cell expression study mentioned no ACE-2 expression in olfactory covering glia, microvillar cells, and immature or mature olfactory sensory neurons [100]. It is speculated that SARS-CoV-2 on binding may stimulate olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) to exert an exaggerated immune response. Earlier studies with SARS-CoV have established infection of the brain through ORNs [101]. Studies describing the transneuronal/transsynaptic movement of the SARS-CoV already exist. Rabies viruses can take over the vesicular axonal transport machinery to disseminate in the brain (Fig. 1a) [102]. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) propagates in olfactory endothelial (OE) cells before invading the brain [93]. These studies enable to predict and support the movement of SARS-CoV-2 through the vesicular axonal pathway in an anterograde fashion through the olfactory nerve and facilitate brain infection [102] (Fig. 1a). Also, the virus may directly reach the CSF around the olfactory nerve fibers from OE cells [82]. A probable trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 to the brain may be via high-ACE-2-expressing non-neuronal OE cells to low-ACE-2-expressing mature ORNs along the olfactory axons. This mechanism highlights the ACE-2 independent process of virus spread.

Lastly, the expression of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in human olfactory mucosa may further worsen the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection [97]. A study demonstrates that respiratory epithelial cells express TMPRSS2 without ACE-2 [103]. The mosaic distribution of TMPRSS2 in mature ORNs is reported [104]. Therefore, the virus can preferentially gain entry into the PNS through one of the two epithelial cell types in the nose, either the goblet cells or the ciliated cells. TMPRSS2, in collaboration with furin, accelerates SARS-CoV-2 entry [105]. Furin, a host serine endoprotease, is particularly of neurological relevance. In general, furin can activate neuronal growth factors and influence CNS homeostasis [106]. However, upon attachment of SARS-CoV-2 with ACE-2, the enzyme generates an active S protein through irreversible cleavage of the precursor protein [105]. The protein S1/S2 subunits separate, which subsequently facilitate virus entry into the host [105]. Thus, exploring the possible avenues of SARS-CoV-2 entry and impact on CNS is the need of the hour.

Conclusion

Various clinical reports have made the association of SARS-CoV-2 with neurological dysfunction prominent. COVID-19-associated neurological severity is primarily associated with cytokine storms. The earlier identified SARS-CoV is already known to suppress the host antiviral response and activate the pro-inflammatory pathways. Briefly, it would be crucial to analyze the IFN-antagonizing and inflammasome-activating properties of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE-2-expressing neuronal/glial cells may facilitate virus entry into the nervous system through different routes. Thus, the nervous system’s involvement in COVID-19 may be more than the current situation apprehends, therefore referring to the virus as an underestimated pathogen. Medical expert clinicians and researchers’ collaboration may address the enhanced incidents of neural dysfunctions in infected individuals. After identifying initial neurological damages, careful monitoring of COVID-19 patients in the long term is also necessary.

Authors’ Contributions

Conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation: SJ, OI, SC. Methodology, project administration, resources, supervision: SJ, HCJ. Validation: HCJ. Visualization, roles/writing - original draft: SJ. Writing- review and editing: SJ, HCJ, OI.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer

The funding organization has not played any role in the study design or the preparation of the manuscript.