This review aims at summarizing state-of-the-art knowledge on glycocalyx and SARS-CoV-2. The endothelial glycocalyx is a dynamic grid overlying the surface of the endothelial cell (EC) lumen and consists of membrane-bound proteoglycans and glycoproteins. The role of glycocalyx has been determined in the regulation of EC permeability, adhesion, and coagulation. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to β-coronavirus that causes the outbreak and the pandemic of COVID-19. Through the respiratory tract, SARS-CoV-2 enters blood circulation and interacts with ECs possessing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Intact glycolyx prevents SARS-CoV-2 invasion of ECs. When the glycocalyx is incomplete, virus spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds with ACE2 and enters ECs for replication. In addition, cytokine storm targets glycocalyx, leading to subsequent coagulation disorder. Therefore, it is intriguing to develop a novel treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection through the maintenance of the integrity of glycocalyx. This review aims to summarize state-of-the-art knowledge of glycocalyx and its potential function in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

中文翻译：

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SARS-CoV-2 感染中的内皮糖萼损伤：分子机制和潜在的靶向治疗

本综述旨在总结有关糖萼和 SARS-CoV-2 的最新知识。内皮糖萼是覆盖内皮细胞 (EC) 腔表面的动态网格，由膜结合蛋白聚糖和糖蛋白组成。糖萼在 EC 通透性、粘附和凝血调节中的作用已被确定。SARS-CoV-2 是一种有包膜的单链 RNA 病毒，属于β冠状病毒，可导致 COVID-19 的爆发和大流行。SARS-CoV-2 通过呼吸道进入血液循环，并与具有血管紧张素转换酶 2 (ACE2) 的 EC 相互作用。完整的糖醇可防止 SARS-CoV-2 入侵内皮细胞。当糖萼不完整时，SARS-CoV-2的病毒刺突蛋白与ACE2结合并进入EC进行复制。此外，细胞因子风暴针对糖萼，导致随后的凝血障碍。因此，通过维持糖萼的完整性来开发一种新的 SARS-CoV-2 感染治疗方法是很有趣的。本综述旨在总结糖萼的最新知识及其在 SARS-CoV-2 感染中的潜在功能。