Endothelial cells orchestrate COVID-19 coagulopathy

Recent data have shown that coagulation activation is common in patients with severe COVID-19. Moreover, autopsy studies have reported widespread microthrombi disseminated throughout the pulmonary vasculature, suggesting that vasculopathy is important in COVID-19 pathogenesis. These post-mortem studies have also highlighted substantial endothelial cell damage, with evidence of apoptosis and loss of tight junctions. Collectively, these data suggest that endothelial cells play a key role in orchestrating the unusual pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.