Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays
Published on: September 20, 2024
COVID-19: imbalanced cell-mediated immune response drives to immunopathology
Jun Wang1,2, Qian Li1, YuanWang Qiu2,3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), poses an imminent threat to humanity. SARS-CoV-2 invades host cells, causing a failure of host immune recognition. Instead of an effective antiviral immunological response after SARS-CoV-2 invasion, the cascading pathological syndrome of COVID-19, especially in severe disease, is exacerbated by an overt inflammatory response and the suppression of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses. As is known, excessive inflammation leads to pathophysiological changes in virus-infected tissues or organs, manifested by imbalanced immune responses, cytokine storm, and aggressive neutrophil activation, ultimately leading to lung damage, such as alveolar damage, endotheliitis, and fluid overload. However, the triggers and consequences of a disruption to immune system homeostasis and the underlying mechanisms of uncontrolled immunopathology following viral infection remain unclear. Here, we review the dynamic and systemic immune progression from an imbalance in cell-mediated immune responses to COVID-19 lung injury. Our understanding of key mechanisms involved in pathogenesis is critical for the development of therapeutic agents and to optimize therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 by triggering an overactive inflammatory response and immune suppression, leading to lung injury. Understanding these immune dysregulations is key to developing effective COVID-19 treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Virology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents a significant global health threat.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection disrupts normal immune responses, leading to immune suppression and an excessive inflammatory cascade.
- This uncontrolled inflammation drives severe COVID-19 pathology, including significant lung damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dynamic and systemic immune progression in COVID-19.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying immune system imbalance and immunopathology following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To highlight the importance of understanding pathogenesis for therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of immune responses in COVID-19.
- Analysis of the progression from immune imbalance to lung injury.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection impairs host immune recognition and antiviral responses.
- Severe COVID-19 is characterized by exaggerated inflammation, cytokine storm, and neutrophil activation.
- Immune dysregulation contributes to lung damage, including alveolar damage and endotheliitis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the intricate immune mechanisms in COVID-19 is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
- Targeting immune system homeostasis disruption may offer therapeutic avenues.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of COVID-19-induced lung injury is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
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...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
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...