Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading contagious
infectious disease caused by the pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that primarily affects the respiratory tract as well as the central nervous system (CNS).
SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs through the interaction of the
viral protein Spike with the
angiotensin II receptor (ACE 2), leading to an increase of
angiotensin II and activation of
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase2 (NOX2), resulting in the release of both
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory molecules. The purpose of the review is to explain that
SARS-CoV-2 infection can determine
neuroinflammation that induces NOX2 activation in microglia. To better understand the role of NOX2 in
inflammation, an overview of its involvement in
neurodegenerative diseases (
NDs) such as
Parkinson's disease (PD),
Alzheimer's disease (AD), and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is provided. To write this manuscript, we performed a PubMed search to evaluate the possible relationship of
SARS-CoV-2 infection in NOX2 activation in microglia, as well as the role of NOX2 in
NDs. Several studies highlighted that NOX2 activation in microglia amplifies
neuroinflammation. To date, there is no clinical treatment capable of counteracting its activation, however, NOX2 could be a promising pharmaceutical target useful for both the treatment and prevention of
NDs and
COVID-19 treatment.