tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Pathogens
. 2022 Mar 23;11(4):390.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens11040390.
Superantigens and SARS-CoV-2
Adam Hamdy[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anthony Leonardi[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
It has been posited SARS-CoV-2 contains at least one unique superantigen-like motif not found in any other SARS or endemic coronaviruses. Superantigens are potent antigens that can send the immune system into overdrive. SARS-CoV-2 causes many of the biological and clinical consequences of a superantigen, and, in the context of reinfection and waning immunity, it is important to better understand the impact of a widely circulating, airborne pathogen that may be a superantigen, superantigen-like or trigger a superantigenic host response. Urgent research is needed to better understand the long-term risks being taken by governments whose policies enable widespread transmission of a potential superantigenic pathogen, and to more clearly define the vaccination and public health policies needed to protect against the consequences of repeat exposure to the pathogen.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; long COVID; neuroinvasion; post-acute COVID-19 syndrome; reinfection; superantigen.
. 2022 Mar 23;11(4):390.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens11040390.
Superantigens and SARS-CoV-2
Adam Hamdy[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anthony Leonardi[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35456065
- PMCID: PMC9026686
- DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040390
Abstract
It has been posited SARS-CoV-2 contains at least one unique superantigen-like motif not found in any other SARS or endemic coronaviruses. Superantigens are potent antigens that can send the immune system into overdrive. SARS-CoV-2 causes many of the biological and clinical consequences of a superantigen, and, in the context of reinfection and waning immunity, it is important to better understand the impact of a widely circulating, airborne pathogen that may be a superantigen, superantigen-like or trigger a superantigenic host response. Urgent research is needed to better understand the long-term risks being taken by governments whose policies enable widespread transmission of a potential superantigenic pathogen, and to more clearly define the vaccination and public health policies needed to protect against the consequences of repeat exposure to the pathogen.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; long COVID; neuroinvasion; post-acute COVID-19 syndrome; reinfection; superantigen.