Fig. 2.

Impact of DAMPs on COVID-19 and associated disorders. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) act as a central driver of the feedback loop between cell/tissue damage and hyperactivation of the innate immune response, thus playing a central role in COVID-19 associated complications. SARS-CoV- 2 infection and the resulting inflammation can cause epithelial cell death and further release of cytokines and DAMPs that can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DAMP-mediated inflammation can also cause damage to the vascular endothelium, platelet activation, thrombosis, and prolonged inflammation resulting in vascular leakage, and hypercoagulation.