When Immunity Kills: The Lessons of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak

Front Immunol. 2021 Sep 24:12:692598. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.692598. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Since its emergence at the end of 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide at a very rapid pace. While most infected individuals have an asymptomatic or mild disease, a minority, mainly the elderly, develop a severe disease that may lead to a fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS results from a highly inflammatory immunopathology process that includes systemic manifestations and massive alveolar damages that impair gas exchange. The present review summarizes our current knowledge in the rapidly evolving field of SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology, emphasizing the role of specific T cell responses. Indeed, accumulating evidence suggest that while T-cell response directed against SARS-CoV-2 likely plays a crucial role in virus clearance, it may also participate in the immunopathology process that leads to ARDS.

Keywords: B cell response; SARS-CoV-2; T cell response; complement activation; immunopathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • Complement Activation
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*