Dysregulated liver function in SARS-CoV-2 infection: Current understanding and perspectives

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the two mechanisms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced liver dysfunction. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes direct liver injury through binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and transmembrane protease serine 2 expressed on cholangiocytes and hepatocytes. Indirect injury by cytokine storm. T cells are stimulated to secrete large quantities of cytokines including type I interferons, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α following SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to systemic excessive inflammation syndrome. ACE2: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; TMPRSS2: Transmembrane protease serine 2; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL-6: Interleukin-6; IFN: Interferons.