SARS-CoV-2-mediated immune system activation and potential application in immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes significant pulmonary inflammation with unclear pathogenesis.
• The virus's high infectivity and pathogenicity can lead to severe, fatal respiratory disease.
• Effective control necessitates vaccines based on SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-derived antigenic peptides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of SARS-CoV-2-specific vaccines.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-mediated cytokine release syndrome.
• To discuss SARS-CoV-2-associated immune evasion and lung immunopathology.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-derived epitopes for vaccine development.
• Review of molecular mechanisms underlying cytokine release syndrome.
• Comprehensive discussion of immune evasion and lung immunopathology in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection activates a wide range of immune cells, stimulating innate and adaptive responses.
• Hyperinflammation and immunopathology result from excessive proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine release.
• SARS-CoV-2 products may contribute to immune evasion, complicating treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for SARS-CoV-2-specific vaccines, immunopathology blockade, and immune evasion inhibition.
• Epitope analysis is key for developing effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
• Understanding immune responses is vital for therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.