Cited by 4,360SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesImmune responses and vaccinations

The trinity of COVID-19: immunity, inflammation and intervention

Open access
Tay, Matthew Zirui, Poh, Chek Meng, Rénia, Laurent, MacAry, Paul A., Ng, Lisa F. P.·2020·Nature Reviews Immunology

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Alongside investigations into the virology of SARS-CoV-2, understanding the fundamental physiological and immunological processes underlying the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is vital for the identification and rational design of effective therapies. Here, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We describe the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the immune system and the subsequent contribution of dysfunctional immune responses to disease progression. From nascent reports describing SARS-CoV-2, we make inferences on the basis of the parallel pathophysiological and immunological features of the other human coronaviruses targeting the lower respiratory tract - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Finally, we highlight the implications of these approaches for potential therapeutic interventions that target viral infection and/or immunoregulation.

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  • In severe COVID-19, ARDS usually begins around day 12 after symptom onset, when viral shedding is mostly resolved, and death or recovery follows about 7-12 days later.

    “The onset of ARDS in severe cases typically occurs around day 12 post-symptom onset44,57, when viral shedding appears to be mostly resolved58, followed by death or recovery around 7-12 days later44,57.”

    From SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and the aging immune system (2021) · cites this paper as [58]

  • ROS increase with age because of mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation, can drive NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and likely contribute further to COVID-19 pathophysiology in the elderly.

    “ROS increase with age due to mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation, and can also drive NLRP3 inflammasome activation, likely further contributing to COVID-19 pathophysiology in the elderly58,76,77.”

    From SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and the aging immune system (2021) · cites this paper as [58]

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [27]Zhao, Y. et al. Single-cell RNA expression profiling of ACE2, the putative receptor of Wuhan 2019-nCov. Preprint at bioRxiv10.1101/2020.01.26.919985 (2020).
  2. [47]Pipeline Review. APEIRON’s respiratory drug product to start pilot clinical trial to treat coronavirus disease COVID-19 in China. Pipeline Review https://pipelinereview.com/index.php/2020022673884/Proteins-and-Peptides/APEIRONs-respiratory-drug-product-to-start-pilot-clinical-trial-to-treat-coronavirus-disease-COVID-19-in-China.html (2020).
  3. [84]Humanigen. Humanigen partners with CTI, a leading contract research organization, for planned phase III study for lenzilumab for coronavirus treatment. Humanigen https://www.humanigen.com/press/Humanigen-Partners-With-CTI%2C-A-Leading-Contract-Research-Organization%2C-For-Planned-Phase-III-Study-For-Lenzilumab-For-Coronavirus-Treatment (2020).
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Authors
Tay, M. Z., Poh, C. M., Rénia, L., MacAry, P. A., & Ng, L. F. P.
Affiliations
  • Agency for Science, Technology and Research (SG)
  • National University of Singapore (SG)
Corresponding author
  • Rénia, Laurent
  • MacAry, Paul A.
  • Ng, Lisa F. P.
Venue
Nature Reviews Immunology
Published
2020-04-28
Volume
20
Issue
6
Pages
363-374
ISSN
  • 1474-1733 (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-1741
OpenAlex
W3018517500
Cited by
4,360
References
136
Citations by year
2026: 82 · 2025: 169 · 2024: 320 · 2023: 552 · 2022: 899 · 2021: 1369 · 2020: 961 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
44.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • National University of Singapore (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council
  • Biomedical Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune responses and vaccinations
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pandemic, immune response, inflammation, pathophysiology, immune dysregulation, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, lower respiratory tract infection, immune regulation, antiviral therapy, therapeutic interventions
MeSH terms
Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Animals, Humans, Inflammation, Pneumonia, Viral, Coronavirus Infections, Disease Progression, Pandemics

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