- Innate Immune Responses:
-
- Overall genomic similarity is observed between SARS-CoV2 and the 2 other viruses.
- Early elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines were found in SARS-CoV2 infection but also in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV pandemics. This suggests a potential similar cytokine storm-mediated disease.
- Type 1 interferon response is suppressed by both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses during infection by multiple strategies such as inhibiting IFN signaling. Delayed Type 1 IFN response could increase the influx of neutrophils and monocytes-macrophages which could compromise early viral control which lead to more severe disease.
- Type 1 interferon, antagonists of some key pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-viral agents are examples of medications that may act by stopping that downregulation of type 1 IFN response.
- Adaptive Immune Responses:
- If overlapping epitopes among 3 viruses exist, passive immunization could be done by using serum of recovered SARS or MERS patients. Cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV has been shown with some COVID-19 patients. In an in vitro assay, serum from previous SARS-CoV survivor succeeded to neutralize SARS CoV-2.
- Prophylactic Vaccines :
- The Full-length spike (S1) immunogen studied for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV could be a good vaccine antigen. Other target antigens or vaccine platforms used in other coronaviruses helped research team start develop a vaccine as soon as a few weeks after the outbreak.
- DNA vaccine showed to be the most advanced platform in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.
- The Full-length spike (S1) immunogen studied for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV could be a good vaccine antigen. Other target antigens or vaccine platforms used in other coronaviruses helped research team start develop a vaccine as soon as a few weeks after the outbreak.
This data comes from a literature review done by different departments of Chulalongkorn University in Thailand such as Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development, Vaccines and Therapeutic Proteins Research Group and others. They wanted to get a better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction, host immune responses and the pathogen immune evasion strategies to help further interventions.
Sources :
Eakachai Prompetchara,Chutitorn Ketloy,Tanapat Palaga. (March 2020). Immune Responses in COVID-19 and Potential Vaccines: Lessons Learned From SARS and MERS Epidemic. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology. DOI://10.12932/AP-200220-0772