Autoimmune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Altijana Hromić-Jahjefendić; Kenneth Lundstrom; Muhamed Adilović; Alaa A A Aljabali; Murtaza M Tambuwala; Ángel Serrano-Aroca; Vladimir N Uversky

doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103508

Autoimmune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Autoimmun Rev. 2023 Dec 29;23(3):103508. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103508. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Altijana Hromić-Jahjefendić¹, Kenneth Lundstrom², Muhamed Adilović³, Alaa A A Aljabali⁴, Murtaza M Tambuwala⁵, Ángel Serrano-Aroca⁶, Vladimir N Uversky⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnicka cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Electronic address: ahromic@ius.edu.ba.
² Pan Therapeutics, Route de Lavaux 49, CH1095 Lutry, Switzerland.
³ Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Hrasnicka cesta 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Electronic address: madilovic@ius.edu.ba.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, P.O. Box 566, Irbid 21163, Jordan. Electronic address: alaaj@yu.edu.jo.
⁵ Lincoln Medical School, Brayford Pool Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK. Electronic address: MTambuwala@lincoln.ac.uk.
⁶ Biomaterials and Bioengineering Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, c/Guillem de Castro 94, 46001, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: angel.serrano@ucv.es.
⁷ Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Electronic address: vuversky@usf.edu.

PMID: 38160960
DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103508

Abstract

The complicated relationships between autoimmunity, COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccinations are described, giving insight into their intricacies. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Ro/SSA, rheumatoid factor, lupus anticoagulant, and antibodies against interferon (IFN)-I have all been consistently found in COVID-19 patients, indicating a high prevalence of autoimmune reactions following viral exposure. Furthermore, the discovery of human proteins with structural similarities to SARS-CoV-2 peptides as possible autoantigens highlights the complex interplay between the virus and the immune system in initiating autoimmunity. An updated summary of the current status of COVID-19 vaccines is presented. We present probable pathways underpinning the genesis of COVID-19 autoimmunity, such as bystander activation caused by hyperinflammatory conditions, viral persistence, and the creation of neutrophil extracellular traps. These pathways provide important insights into the development of autoimmune-related symptoms ranging from organ-specific to systemic autoimmune and inflammatory illnesses, demonstrating the wide influence of COVID-19 on the immune system.

Keywords: Autoimmune disorders (AID); Autoimmune response; COVID-19 vaccines; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review