<b>Reactive Oxygen Species in Endothelial Signaling in COVID-19: Protective role of the novel peptide PIP-2</b>

Endothelial activation with COVID-19 is emerging as a key event in driving inflammation. We hypothesized that “inflammatory load or burden” (cytokine storm) of the systemic circulation activates endothelial NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) which leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the pulmonary endothelium. Endothelial ROS subsequently activates pro-inflammatory pathways. Here we investigated the mechanism by which COVID-19 activates the pulmonary endothelium and drives pro-inflammatory phenotypes.