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Exhaustion and over-activation of immune cells in COVID-19: challenges and therapeutic opportunities

Alahdal, M; Elkord, E

Exhaustion and over-activation of immune cells in COVID-19: challenges and therapeutic opportunities Thumbnail


Authors

M Alahdal

E Elkord



Abstract

Exhaustion of immune cells in COVID-19 remains a serious concern for infection management and therapeutic interventions. As reported, immune cells such as T effector cells (Teff), T regulatory cells (Tregs), natural killer cells (NKs), and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) exhibit uncontrolled functions in COVID-19. Unfortunately, the mechanisms that orchestrate immune cell functionality and virus interaction are still unknown. Recent studies linked adaptive immune cell exhaustion to underlying epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the epigenetic transcription of inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors (ICs). Further to that, the over-activation of T cells accompanied by the dysfunctionality of DCs and Tregs may enhance uncontrollable alveoli inflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19. This might explain the reasons behind the failure of DC-based vaccines in inducing sufficient anti-viral responses. This review explains the processes behind the over-activation and exhaustion of innate and adaptive immune cells in COVID-19, which may contribute to developing novel immune intervention strategies.

Citation

Alahdal, M., & Elkord, E. (2022). Exhaustion and over-activation of immune cells in COVID-19: challenges and therapeutic opportunities. Clinical Immunology, 245, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2022.109177

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 1, 2022
Online Publication Date Nov 11, 2022
Publication Date Nov 11, 2022
Deposit Date Dec 1, 2022
Publicly Available Date Dec 1, 2022
Journal Clinical Immunology
Print ISSN 1521-6616
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 245
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2022.109177
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2022.109177

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