Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression
07:30

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Published on: June 15, 2019

10.5K

COVID-19, cytokines and immunosuppression: what can we learn from severe acute respiratory syndrome?

Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini1, Valeria Giorgi2, Silvia Sirotti2

  • 1Rheumatology Unit, ASST-Fatebenefratelli L. Sacco University Hospital, University of Milan, Italy. piercarlo.sarziputtini@gmail.com.

Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|March 24, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly spread globally, prompting international health alerts. Lessons from SARS and MERS may inform strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic, including novel immunosuppressive drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • A severe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019.
  • The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a public health emergency due to its rapid global spread, exceeding 200,000 cases.
  • Previous coronavirus epidemics, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), share similarities with COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the rapid global spread and public health implications of COVID-19.
  • To draw parallels between COVID-19, SARS, and MERS.
  • To suggest potential therapeutic avenues for COVID-19 based on lessons from prior epidemics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data on COVID-19.
  • Comparative analysis of clinical and pathogenetic features of COVID-19, SARS, and MERS.
  • Literature review on potential treatments for coronavirus infections.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 has demonstrated rapid international transmission, leading to a global health emergency.
  • Significant pathogenetic, epidemiological, and clinical similarities exist between COVID-19, SARS, and MERS.
  • Limited knowledge exists regarding SARS-CoV-2, necessitating the application of insights from previous outbreaks.

Conclusions:

  • The global spread of COVID-19 constitutes a major public health crisis.
  • Understanding the similarities with SARS and MERS is crucial for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Novel immunosuppressive drugs may offer a potential treatment strategy for COVID-19.

More Related Videos

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization05:23

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Published on: December 23, 2020

6.5K
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses09:43

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Published on: March 8, 2024

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
1.8K
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
1.7K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
6.3K
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
2.4K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.6K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
11.6K