Figure 1.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced cytokine storm and redox imbalance. SARS-CoV-2 binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and induces down regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), which leads to inhibition of glutathione (GSH) release. This results in elevated inflammatory cytokines, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and recruitment of immune cells. Arrows indicate secretion of cytokines and their downstream effectors.