AUTHOR=Sun Chen , Han Yunze , Zhang Ruoyu , Liu Simon , Wang Jing , Zhang Yuqing , Chen Xuemei , Jiang Chao , Wang Junmin , Fan Xiaochong , Wang Jian TITLE=Regulated necrosis in COVID-19: A double-edged sword JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.917141 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.917141 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 can cause various systemic diseases such as acute pneumonia and cytokine storm. With necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis, necrosis constitutes the regulated necrosis patterns under the low apoptosis condition commonly observed in COVID-19. Necrosis is involved in the release of cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1 β, and IL-6 and cell contents such as alarmins, PAMPs, and DAMPs, leading to more severe inflammation. Uncontrolled necrosis may explain the poor prognosis and cytokine storm observed in COVID-19. In this review, the pathophysiology and mechanism of necrosis with the double-edged sword effect in COVID-19 are thoroughly discussed in detail. Furthermore, this review also focuses on the biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets of the necrosis pathway in COVID-19, providing practical guidance to judge the severity of COVID-19, prognosis, and clinical treatment, as well as guiding the development of clinical anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.