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Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
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Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2

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Product of natural evolution (SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2); deadly diseases, from SARS to SARS-CoV-2

Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian1, Wenli Sun1, Qi Cheng1,2,3

  • 1Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing, China.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
|August 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This review compares SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV diseases to inform the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines. Understanding these coronaviruses is crucial for creating vaccines that elicit a balanced immune response for protective immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global health crisis.
  • SARS-CoV-2, a single-stranded RNA virus, belongs to the beta-coronavirus genus.
  • The viral spike (S) protein mediates cell entry and is a key target for vaccine development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare and contrast SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) diseases.
  • To leverage insights from these coronaviruses to inform SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.
  • To highlight the importance of a balanced immune response for vaccine efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of genomic and pathogenic features of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV.
  • Review of existing literature on coronaviruses and vaccine strategies.
  • Examination of the role of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in viral entry and immunogenicity.

Main Results:

  • All three viruses utilize spike proteins for cellular receptor binding and membrane fusion.
  • The beta-coronavirus genus, including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, shares common evolutionary origins.
  • Vaccine development requires consideration of inducing a balanced immune response for effective protection.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the similarities and differences between SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV is essential for rational vaccine design.
  • Targeting the spike protein is a promising strategy for developing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
  • Achieving protective immunity necessitates a vaccine that elicits a balanced immune response against SARS-CoV-2.
Keywords:
MERSSARSSARS-CoV-2coronavirusesemerging diseasespneumonia

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