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PeerJ
. 2025 Jun 20:13:e19462.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19462. eCollection 2025. Innate immunity, therapeutic targets and monoclonal antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Mubashir Nazir 1 , Ishfaq Rashid Mir 2 , Shabir Ahmad Lone 1 , Ghazala Muteeb 3 , Ragib Alam 4 , Anis Bashir Fomda 5 , Nida Khan 6 , Asim Azhar 7 , Bashir Ahmad Fomda 1 , Wajihul Hasan Khan 4
Affiliations
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), stands as one of the most severe pandemics the world has ever faced in recent times. SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibits a wide range of symptoms, varying from severe manifestations to mild cases and even asymptomatic carriers. This diversity stems from a multitude of factors, including genetic predisposition, viral variants, and immune status. During SARS-CoV-2 infection, the immune system engages pattern recognition receptors, setting off a series of intricate signalling cascades. These cascades culminate in the activation of innate immune responses, including induction of type I and type III interferons. The emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 pose challenges to the innate immune system defense. Therefore, investigating the innate immune response is crucial for effectively combating SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophoshate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, a critical innate immune mechanism, represents a promising target for intervention at multiple stages to reduce the severity and progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review explores innate immunity in SARS-CoV-2 infection and other immune responses critical for SARS-CoV-2 defence. As part of the therapeutic approach, we extend our review to highlight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as emerging and effective therapeutics for controlling SARS-CoV-2 by targeting different stages of the innate immune system. A diverse range of mAbs has been explored to address specific targets within the innate immune pathways. A deep understanding of innate immunity and targeted monoclonal therapeutics will be instrumental in combating viruses and their variants, laying the foundation for enhanced treatment and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: Innate immunity; Monoclonal antibody; SARS-CoV-2; STINGs; Signaling molecules.
. 2025 Jun 20:13:e19462.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19462. eCollection 2025. Innate immunity, therapeutic targets and monoclonal antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Mubashir Nazir 1 , Ishfaq Rashid Mir 2 , Shabir Ahmad Lone 1 , Ghazala Muteeb 3 , Ragib Alam 4 , Anis Bashir Fomda 5 , Nida Khan 6 , Asim Azhar 7 , Bashir Ahmad Fomda 1 , Wajihul Hasan Khan 4
Affiliations
- PMID: 40552037
- PMCID: PMC12184675
- DOI: 10.7717/peerj.19462
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), stands as one of the most severe pandemics the world has ever faced in recent times. SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibits a wide range of symptoms, varying from severe manifestations to mild cases and even asymptomatic carriers. This diversity stems from a multitude of factors, including genetic predisposition, viral variants, and immune status. During SARS-CoV-2 infection, the immune system engages pattern recognition receptors, setting off a series of intricate signalling cascades. These cascades culminate in the activation of innate immune responses, including induction of type I and type III interferons. The emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 pose challenges to the innate immune system defense. Therefore, investigating the innate immune response is crucial for effectively combating SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophoshate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, a critical innate immune mechanism, represents a promising target for intervention at multiple stages to reduce the severity and progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review explores innate immunity in SARS-CoV-2 infection and other immune responses critical for SARS-CoV-2 defence. As part of the therapeutic approach, we extend our review to highlight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as emerging and effective therapeutics for controlling SARS-CoV-2 by targeting different stages of the innate immune system. A diverse range of mAbs has been explored to address specific targets within the innate immune pathways. A deep understanding of innate immunity and targeted monoclonal therapeutics will be instrumental in combating viruses and their variants, laying the foundation for enhanced treatment and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: Innate immunity; Monoclonal antibody; SARS-CoV-2; STINGs; Signaling molecules.