Immune dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 virus evolution

Abstract

In December 2019, the first case of COVID-19 surfaced in Wuhan, China. The relatively unknown SARS-CoV-2 virus led to the global 2020–2021 pandemic claiming thousands of lives. One of the major reasons for the prolonged duration of the pandemic consisting of multiple waves, due to sporadic surges in the number of cases, is the emerging variants. Such variants of the classic Wuhan strain hold multiple mutations that increase the viral fitness, improve transmissibility, aid in immune escape, and overall increase the virulence of the virus. Hence, studying and understanding the viral evolution and the interaction dynamics of the virus with the human immune system becomes vital. To that end, here, we review some of the immune aspects associated with SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 with a focus on immune responses to variants of concern. The article breaks down the normal immune response elicited against the virus and its variants along with various interesting concepts of antibody-dependent enhancement, immune escape, immune suppression, and immunophenomics while also highlighting the next frontiers in dealing with the virus. The unprecedented research into understanding the immunological underpinnings of the COVID-19 global pandemic will pave the way for evidence-based strategies for the management of this and any future widespread infectious diseases.