Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-540 Bialystok, Poland.
Cells. 2021 Jun 19;10(6):1550. doi: 10.3390/cells10061550.
COVID-19 is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory system caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infections occurs through droplets and contaminated objects. A rapid and well-coordinated immune system response is the first line of defense in a viral infection. However, a disturbed and over-activated immune response may be counterproductive, causing damage to the body. Severely ill patients hospitalised with COVID-19 exhibit increased levels of many cytokines, including Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Increasing evidence suggests that Th17 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, not only by activating cytokine cascade but also by inducing Th2 responses, inhibiting Th1 differentiation and suppressing Treg cells. This review focuses on a Th17 pathway in the course of the immune response in COVID-19, and explores plausible targets for therapeutic intervention.
新型冠状病毒肺炎（Corona Virus Disease 2019，COVID-19）是由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2（severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2，SARS-CoV-2）感染引起的呼吸系统急性传染病。SARS-CoV-2 感染的传播途径为飞沫传播和接触传播。迅速且协调良好的免疫系统反应是病毒感染的第一道防线。然而，紊乱和过度激活的免疫反应可能适得其反，导致身体损伤。COVID-19 住院重症患者表现出多种细胞因子水平升高，包括白细胞介素（interleukin，IL）-1β、IL-2、IL-6、IL-7、IL-8、IL-10、IL-17、粒细胞集落刺激因子（granulocyte colony stimulating factor，G-CSF）、单核细胞趋化蛋白 1（monocyte chemoattractant protein 1，MCP-1）和肿瘤坏死因子（tumor necrosis factor，TNF）。越来越多的证据表明，辅助性 T 细胞 17（T helper cell 17，Th17）细胞在 COVID-19 的发病机制中发挥重要作用，不仅通过激活细胞因子级联反应，还通过诱导 Th2 反应、抑制 Th1 分化和抑制 T 调节细胞来发挥作用。本综述重点关注 COVID-19 免疫反应过程中的 Th17 途径，并探讨了治疗干预的可能靶点。
