The role of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in antiviral immunity and vaccine development

Emerg Microbes Infect. 2023 Dec;12(1):e2164219. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2164219.

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused enormous health risks and global economic disruption. This disease is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is a structural protein involved in viral replication and assembly. There is accumulating evidence indicating that the nucleocapsid protein is multi-functional, playing a key role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and antiviral immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarize its potential application in the prevention of COVID-19, which is based on its role in inflammation, cell death, antiviral innate immunity, and antiviral adaptive immunity.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; adapted immunity; cell death; inflammation; innate immunity; nucleocapsid; vaccine.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccine Development

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by R&D Program of Guangzhou Laboratory (SRPG22-006), College Students’ Innovative Entrepreneurial Training Plan Program (202210487079) and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, HUST Academic Frontier Youth Team (2018QYTD10).