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A comprehensive review about immune responses and exhaustion during coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Rebar N Mohammed1,2, Rozita Tamjidifar3, Heshu Sulaiman Rahman4,5

  • 1Medical Laboratory Analysis Department, College of Health Sciences, Cihan University of Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS
|June 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection impairs immune responses, leading to T cell exhaustion. This review explores SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and immunomodulation strategies to overcome immune dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents significant global health challenges due to severe respiratory illness and rapid transmission.
  • The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the host immune system dictates disease severity and clinical manifestations.
  • While adaptive immunity is crucial for viral clearance, innate immune responses can sometimes exacerbate COVID-19 progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the precise pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To detail the alterations in immune responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To review immune exhaustion in COVID-19 and discuss potential immunomodulatory interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and immune responses.
  • Analysis of studies investigating T cell exhaustion and antigen presentation.
  • Exploration of immunomodulation strategies for COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to functional exhaustion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, marked by increased exhaustion markers.
  • The virus downregulates MHC class I and II molecules, hindering T cell-mediated immunity.
  • Humoral immune responses are critical for combating SARS-CoV-2, especially when T cell responses are inhibited.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is key to managing COVID-19.
  • Immune exhaustion is a significant factor in COVID-19 progression.
  • Immunomodulation offers potential therapeutic avenues to restore effective immune function against SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords:
COVID-19Immune system exhaustionSARS-CoV-2T cells

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