COVID-19 and immunity: quo vadis?

Int Immunol. 2021 Sep 25;33(10):507-513. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxab008.

Abstract

Understanding the precise nature and durability of protective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential in order to gain insight into the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to develop novel treatment strategies to this disease. Here, I succinctly summarize what is currently known and unknown about the immune response during COVID-19 and discuss whether natural infections can lead to herd immunity.

Keywords: B cells; SARS-CoV-2; T cells; herd immunity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Herd / immunology*
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology