COVID-19: A review on the inflammatory profile of SARS-CoV-2 and the asymptomatic state

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused significant death, disease burden, and panic worldwide. Several studies have determined that COVID-19 is associated with an exaggerated cytokine storm. SARS-CoV-2 induces proliferation of pro-inflammatory cytokines that results in vascular damage, hypercoagulation, and ultimately respiratory distress. This review presents a detailed and comprehensive look into the inflammatory profile of SARS-CoV-2 on the pulmonary epithelium and discusses immune regulation in the asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic state. Understanding the immunological profile of SARS-CoV-2 is vital to early detection and diagnosis of infected patients. A comprehensive understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 host response may also assist in the development and discovery of therapeutic and preventative agents in the near future.