Preventing cytokine storm syndrome in COVID-19 using α-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists

Dysregulated host immune responses drive mortality in pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by a wide range of infections. In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) elicits an exuberant local or systemic immune response (hyperinflammation) in the lung and other sites of viral replication, compromising organ function and leading to high morbidity and mortality (1-4).