SARS-CoV-2 Virus Transmission Mechanism in the Human Body

Abstract

Coronavirus infections have been and remain the most common form of the pandemic with considerable morbidity in recent decades. The current form of coronavirus mainly results in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). Prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV is the most urgent problem of medicine. However, this is impossible without knowledge of the subtle mechanisms of the virus entry into the body, stimulating organ damage and the spread of the disease. It is revealed that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to target cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which forms active angiotensin II. The SARS virus can also bind to the CD147 cell receptor which is mainly located on the surface of respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelial cells and play a role in the entry routes of the virus. After the attachment of the virus to the cell, the spike protein is cleaved into subunits S1 and S2 as a result of proteolysis through a transmembrane serine protease type 2. The virus then activates endocytosis. SARS-CoV-2 can damage alveocytes type I and II, as well as endothelial cells. This process leads to the expression and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines.