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COVID-19 age-dependent immunology and clinical outcomes: implications for vaccines

Part of: DOHaD Covid-19 Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2021

Azza Sarfraz Open the ORCID record for Azza Sarfraz [Opens in a new window] ,
Saman Hasan Siddiqui ,
Junaid Iqbal ,
Syed Asad Ali ,
Zahra Hasan ,
Zouina Sarfraz  and
Najeeha Talat Iqbal
Azza Sarfraz
Affiliation:
Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Saman Hasan Siddiqui
Affiliation:
Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Junaid Iqbal
Affiliation:
Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Syed Asad Ali
Affiliation:
Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Zahra Hasan
Affiliation:
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Zouina Sarfraz
Affiliation:
Research and Publications, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
Najeeha Talat Iqbal*
Affiliation:
Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
*
Address for correspondence: Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty Office Building, Aga Khan University, P.O Box 3500 Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. Email: najeeha.iqbal@aku.edu
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Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Understanding the evolution of the virus, and immune-pathogenic processes are critical for designing future therapeutic interventions. In this review, we collate information on the structure, genome, viral life cycle, and adult and pediatric host immune responses in response to SARS-CoV-2. The immunological responses are a prototype of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis to explain the socio-geographic differences impacting the severity and mortality rates in SARS-CoV-2 infections. The DOHaD hypothesis identifies the relevance of trained innate immunity, age groups, and geography for effective vaccinations. As COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, it may be pertinent to assess population-based immunological responses to understand the effectiveness and safety across different populations and age groups.

Keywords

Coronavirusinnate immunityadaptive immunitymultisystem inflammatory syndromecytokine storm syndrome

Information

Type
Review
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , June 2022 , pp. 277 - 283
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

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