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Review
. 2020 Sep 24;8(10):1468.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8101468.

SARS-CoV-2: From Structure to Pathology, Host Immune Response and Therapeutic Management

Grigore Mihaescu  1   2 , Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc  1   2 , Ciprian Iliescu  3   4 , Corneliu Ovidiu Vrancianu  1   2 , Lia-Mara Ditu  1 , Luminita Gabriela Marutescu  1   2 , Raluca Grigore  5 , Șerban Berteșteanu  5 , Marian Constantin  6 , Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru  1   2
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2: From Structure to Pathology, Host Immune Response and Therapeutic Management

Grigore Mihaescu et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Coronaviruses are large, enveloped viruses with a single-stranded RNA genome, infecting both humans and a wide range of wild and domestic animals. SARS-CoV-2, the agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has 80% sequence homology with SARS-CoV-1 and 96-98% homology with coronaviruses isolated from bats. The spread of infection is favored by prolonged exposure to high densities of aerosols indoors. Current studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 is much more stable than other coronaviruses and viral respiratory pathogens. The severe forms of infection are associated with several risk factors, including advanced age, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disease, and other preexisting infectious diseases, all having in common the pre-existence of a pro-inflammatory condition. Consequently, it is essential to understand the relationship between the inflammatory process and the specific immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, we present a general characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (origin, sensitivity to chemical and physical factors, multiplication cycle, genetic variability), the molecular mechanisms of COVID-19 pathology, the host immune response and discuss how the inflammatory conditions associated with different diseases could increase the risk of COVID-19. Last, but not least, we briefly review the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, pharmacology, and future approaches toward vaccine development.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; immune response; inflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of virion molecular structure. The S spikes are most prominent on the virion surface and confer the specific appearance of corona. The transmembrane M protein is highly hydrophobic, with three domains in the peplos. The E glycoprotein is a minor constituent of peplos. Some coronaviruses have an additional protein, HE (haemagglutinin-esterase).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of coronaviruses multiplication cycle.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of the CMI effectors in SARS-CoV 2 infection.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Hijacking mitochondrial metabolic processes in Covid-19 infection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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