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Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
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Review Devil's tools: SARS-CoV-2 antagonists against innate immunity

Duo Xu1, Mahamaya Biswal2, Arrmund Neal1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.

Current Research in Virological Science
|November 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses multiple viral proteins to suppress the host

Area of Science:

  • Virology and Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The Coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2.
  • SARS-CoV-2 must overcome the host's innate interferon (IFN) response to establish infection.
  • The IFN response is a critical early defense mechanism against viral pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the current understanding of viral factors employed by SARS-CoV-2 to suppress IFN responses.
  • To identify conserved and novel IFN evasion strategies used by SARS-CoV-2.
  • To provide a basis for developing IFN-based treatments against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing scientific literature on SARS-CoV-2 and IFN interactions.
  • Analysis of viral protein functions related to immune evasion.
  • Comparison of IFN antagonism strategies between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 utilizes a complex array of viral proteins to antagonize the host IFN response.
  • Some IFN evasion mechanisms are conserved from other coronaviruses, while others are specific to SARS-CoV-2.
  • Understanding these viral countermeasures is crucial for therapeutic development.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 has evolved sophisticated strategies to counteract the innate interferon immunity.
  • Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for guiding the application of interferon therapy.
  • Targeting viral IFN evasion pathways may offer a viable therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
Keywords:
AntagonistCOVID 19Innate immunity

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