FIGURE 6.

Schematic drawing of possible interactions of the virus with both blood coagulation elements as well as components of the blood-brain barrier. By interacting with tight junction protein ZO-1, extracellular matrix elements of BBB like fibronectin, collagen it might cause BBB dysfunction. Reacting and with possible blockage of PDGFβ released from endothelium and its receptor on pericytes may disrupt the integrity of BBB. Also interacting with fibrinogen and factor VII may lead to coagulopathy, and reaction with hemoglobin subunits may cause decreased oxygenation of the brain tissue due to decreased oxygen-binding capacity. Decreased binding of endothelial NOS to calmodulin hence less activation of NOS with decreased NO production may lead to disturbances in vascular reactions.