IMMUNITY AGAINST COVID-19

BY MUSKAN FARHAT
INTRODUCTION: STRUCTURE:
Corona virus disease 2019 is an infectious disease whom
causative agent is severe acute respiratory syndrome corona SARS-CoV-2 is a spherical or pleomorphic enveloped particles that contains a CLASSIFCATION:
virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease is the respiratory illness
positive sense single stranded RNA associated with a nucleoprotein within a
responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The virus
capsid comprised of matrix protein. The size of its genome is approximately Based on genomic structure the virus is classified into
was previously named as 2019 novel corona virus (2019-
nCoV) and has also been called human corona virus 2019. 29.9kb. among all known RNA virus’s corona virus has the larges genome four major subgroups
Corona viruses are originally grouped into the family of
(26.4-31.7kbThe envelope of the virus bears club shaped glycoprotein alpha, and beta (infect humans and animals), Gamma
Coronaviridae on the basis of their crown or halo like
projections. These projections are crown shaped that gives the virus its name ( and delta (infect birds) omicron
appearance given by the glycoprotein studded envelop on
electron microscope. “Corona” is Latin for crown or halo). These proteins play a key role in
ORIGIN: determining host cells and enable the virus to attach to and fuse with their
SARS CoV 2 is an RNA virus contagious to human. As
described by the US National Institute of Health, it is the membrane.
successor to SARS-CoV-1, the virus that caused the 2002-2004
SARS outbreak. First identified in the city of Wuhan, China,
WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of
international concern on 30 January 2020 and a pandemic on
11 march 2020

Immunity against Corona virus:

There are two types of immune response shown against 3. Activation of transcription factor:
Activity Of Natural Killer Cells :
corona virus infection. Recognition and binding to RNA sensors results in the activation
On every nucleated cell of human body express
I. Innate immunity: of the transcription factors, nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-
MHC-I molecule natural killer cell to recognize
Innate immunity is the first line of defense that is enhancer of activated B cell and interferon regulatory factor 3
self from non-self. As the non-self-particles or
always on and is quick in action. Innate immunity (IRF3).
infected cells of the body are un-able express MHC
involves macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, 4. Release of proinflammatory cytokines: I on their surface. They are instantly recognized
complement system and natural killer cells etc. Cytokines are signaling molecules that are released as a result of and killed by NK cells. NK cell expresses various
macrophages and dendritic cells are also called infection to alert other immune cell about foreign invasion. The receptors for MHC I, which can either inhibit or
antigen presenting cells as the present the viral antigen activation of transcription factors leads to the induction of activate cytokine production cell mediated
to activate the adaptive immune response. Innate proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and Type I IFN. cytotoxicity
immunity is triggered in the following steps Expression of antiviral proteins: Complement System
1. Entry of virus: Type I IFN is considered to be the first antiviral defense line. This . Complement system involves 20 proteins that are present in the
The virus enters the body through air. cytokine induces production of a protein complex which in turn liver in inactive form and get activated during a foreign invasion.
2. Recognition of corona virus by binding to PRRs: enters the nucleus to stimulate the transcription of IFN stimulated These proteins opsonize for phagocytosis, neutralize or kills the
The innate immune cell express pathogen recognition genes and subsequently expression of antiviral proteins. These invader by cytotoxic activity. The activation of complement
receptors (PRRs) on their surface to sense pathogen proteins restrict infection mediated by SARS-Cov-2. system in the start of infection plays a crucial role against the
associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). These PRRs 5. Presentation of viral antigen: SARS-CoV-2. Complement system could prove deleterious in
include C type lectin receptors, NOD like receptors, The antiviral proteins cut the viral genome into fragments and present the first week of infection but on the second or third weeks of
RIG-I like receptors and toll like receptors (TLR). The one of the fragments as antigen on the cell surface of antigen infection it shows an exaggerated response causing damage to
presenting cells with the help of a protein complex called MHC II.
RNA of corona virus in recognized by binding to the the host own tissues.
The MHC II molecule binds to one of the fragments and present it to
cytosolic and endosomal RNA sensors including RIG-
the cells of adaptive immunity to trigger a highly specific immune
I and TLR2,3 and 7 respectively. CONTROL
response. II- Adaptive immunity: Although antiviral therapy has been attempted, the
Adaptive immunity comprises of two types of cells called T-cell and B- treatment of corona virus colds remains symptomatic.
The likelihood of transmission can be reduced by
cell that are activated by antigen presenting cells. practicing hygienic measures. Some vaccines
• T-cells: available are :

t-cell generate memory cell that memorizes the structure of viral • CanSino
antigen and differentiate into helper T-cells/CD4+ t-cells and • CoronaVac
cytotoxic/CD8+ t-cell. • Moderna
CD4+ T cells play a critical antiviral role by promoting the pathogen PREVENTIVE MEASURE:
specific antibodies by activating B cells. CD8+ t cells kills the virus • Wear mask
infected cells by releasing perforin and granzymes. The importance of • Clean your hands
CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in controlling SARS-CoV-2 replication and • Keep a safe distance
disease severity by using T-cell-deficient BALB/c mice.
• B-cells:
REFERNCES:
b-cells after activation transform into plasma cells that produce specific
www. Wekipedia.com
antibodies against the virus. In SARS-CoV, antibody profile shows a
typical pattern of IgM and IgG secretion. The SARS-specific IgG www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
antibodies can exist for a long time then IgM, indicating that IgG Euro.who.int
antibodies play a protective role.
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These antibodies opsonize the infected cell or virus and directs their
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phagocytosis by signaling macrophages, dendritic cells and
complement system etc.