Altered cytokine levels and immune responses in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and related conditions

Cytokine. 2020 Sep:133:155143. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155143. Epub 2020 May 21.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic in early 2020. The infection has been associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms. In the severely affected patients, it has caused dysregulation of immune responses including over-secretion of inflammatory cytokines and imbalances in the proportion of naïve helper T cells, memory helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Identification of the underlying mechanism of such aberrant function of immune system would help in the prediction of disease course and selection of susceptible patients for more intensive cares. In the current review, we summarize the results of studies which reported alterations in cytokine levels and immune cell functions in patients affected with SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.

Keywords: Cytokine; Immune cells; SARS-CoV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Disease Progression
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Disease Susceptibility / pathology
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / metabolism
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / metabolism
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / metabolism
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / virology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines