SARS-CoV-2: a storm is raging

J Clin Invest. 2020 May 1;130(5):2202-2205. doi: 10.1172/JCI137647.

Abstract

The pandemic coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is rapidly spreading across the globe. In this issue of the JCI, Chen and colleagues compared the clinical and immunological characteristics between moderate and severe COVID-19. The authors found that respiratory distress on admission is associated with unfavorable outcomes. Increased cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), lymphopenia (in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), and decreased IFN-γ expression in CD4+ T cells are associated with severe COVID-19. Overall, this study characterized the cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 and provides insights into immune therapeutics and vaccine design.

Keywords: COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Cytokines