Immunologic Responses against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and quickly spread worldwide becoming a global health problem unprecedented. The infection is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is characterized as a RNA virus with an envelope derived from host cell with glycoprotein spikes, appearing like a crown-like external structure under electron microscope. Due to the aggressive spread profile of SARS-CoV-2, the scientific community is under pressure to generate knowledge about the morphology of the virus and the immune response against SARS-CoV-2, in order to generate useful information for the development of vaccines and methods of immunological diagnosis. Previous knowledge about other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, were the pillars for understanding the immune response of SARS-CoV-2. Until now, we know that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response in the host involves mechanisms related to innate immunity, activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and production of antibodies (IgA, IgG and IgM) against the virus. In spite of being a new pathogen, the literature on SARS-CoV-2 has increased dramatically in the past few months, especially in the immunology field. Here, we review the literature on SARS-CoV-2 immunology, focusing on the innate and adaptative immune responses.