COVID-19 - the ultimate nfkB rush and the crucial importance of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The poster presentation by Marco Leitzke provided a novel perspective on the pathology of SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently PCS, by centering around the relevance of the NF-kB pathway. As SARS-CoV-2 has the ability to block neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the administering of nicotine may potentially support the upregulation of nAChRs, thereby enhancing previously inhibited neuromodulation and enabling the neutralisation of then released SARS-CoV-2 viral particles by preformed antibodies. Nicotine may then also counter hyperclotting, autoimmunity and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) in PCS.