Can the immune system be targeted to treat COVID-19?

Abstract

In COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, uncontrolled or impaired immunity can lead to the development of severe forms of the disease. Understanding the underlying immunology influencing disease expression as well as the natural history of the virus is imperative to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter aims to discuss the literature surrounding the immunology of COVID-19 in a clinical context, specifically applied to the development of therapeutics and vaccines to SARS-CoV-2.Copyright © ERS 2021.