Trends in immunology
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Severe infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 is characterized by massive cytokine release and T cell loss. The exaggerated host immune response, incapable of viral clearance, instead aggravates respiratory distress, as well as cardiac, and/or damage to other organs. The mortality pattern of SARS-CoV-2 infection, higher in older versus younger adults and almost absent in children, is possibly caused by the effects of age and pre-existing comorbidities on innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we speculate that the abnormal and excessive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection partly depends on T cell immunological memory, which is more pronounced in adults compared with children, and may significantly contribute to immunopathology and massive collateral damage in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
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The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) marks the third highly pathogenic coronavirus to spill over into the human population. SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible with a broad tissue tropism that is likely perpetuating the pandemic. ⋯ We further present advances in animal models that are important for understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, vaccine development, and therapeutic testing. When necessary, comparisons are made from studies with SARS to provide further perspectives on coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as draw inferences for future investigations.
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Trends in immunology · May 2020
ReviewBreadth of Antibody Responses during Influenza Virus Infection and Vaccination.
Influenza viruses are a major public health problem, causing severe respiratory diseases. Vaccines offer the effective protective strategy against influenza virus infection. However, the systemic and adaptive immune responses to infection and vaccination are quite different. ⋯ There is solid evidence to indicate that antibody responses to natural infection are relatively broad and exhibit quite different immunodominance patterns. Furthermore, T follicular helper cells (TFH) and germinal center (GC) responses play a central role in generating broad protective antibodies. In this review, we discuss recent advances on the contribution of TFH and GC responses to the breadth of antibody responses.
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Trends in immunology · May 2020
Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Human Coronaviruses.
Coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 (also known as 2019-nCoV) is threatening global public health, social stability, and economic development. To meet this challenge, this article discusses advances in the research and development of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) for the prevention and treatment of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and other human CoVs.