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Review
. 2024 Feb;21(2):171-183.
doi: 10.1038/s41423-023-01104-y. Epub 2023 Nov 20.

SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity: the good, the bad, and the "goldilocks"

Benjamin L Sievers  1 , Mark T K Cheng  1 , Kata Csiba  1 , Bo Meng  2   3 , Ravindra K Gupta  4   5
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity: the good, the bad, and the "goldilocks"

Benjamin L Sievers et al. Cell Mol Immunol. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

An ancient conflict between hosts and pathogens has driven the innate and adaptive arms of immunity. Knowledge about this interplay can not only help us identify biological mechanisms but also reveal pathogen vulnerabilities that can be leveraged therapeutically. The humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been the focus of intense research, and the role of the innate immune system has received significantly less attention. Here, we review current knowledge of the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the various means SARS-CoV-2 employs to evade innate defense systems. We also consider the role of innate immunity in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and in the phenomenon of long COVID.

Keywords: Antiviral targets; Cytokines; Inflammation; Innate immune response; Interferon; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
SARS-CoV-2 mediated cell-cell fusion and impact on cGAS-STING and IFN signaling
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and early life cycle, innate immune pathways, and virus-encoded antagonists
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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