COVID-19: immunopathology and its implications for therapy

Nat Rev Immunol. 2020 May;20(5):269-270. doi: 10.1038/s41577-020-0308-3.

Abstract

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by pneumonia, lymphopenia, exhausted lymphocytes and a cytokine storm. Significant antibody production is observed; however, whether this is protective or pathogenic remains to be determined. Defining the immunopathological changes in patients with COVID-19 provides potential targets for drug discovery and is important for clinical management.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Serotherapy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cytokines
  • tocilizumab