Open AccessCOVID-19 as a Trigger of Brain Autoimmunity
Author(s) -
Mayuri Gupta,
Donald F. Weaver
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acs chemical neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.158
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1948-7193
DOI - 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00403
Subject(s) - neuroinflammation , neurodegeneration , molecular mimicry , autoantibody , autoimmunity , epitope , biology , bystander effect , neuroscience , microglia , immunology , effector , multiple sclerosis , transcriptome , inflammation , immune system , medicine , antibody , genetics , disease , gene expression , pathology , gene
Entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the central nervous system (CNS) activates microglia, triggering chronic neuroinflammation and possibly neurodegeneration. The complex transcriptome of SARS-CoV-2 shares molecular similarities with diverse human CNS protein epitopes, leading to a cytokine storm and various autoantibodies, potentially culminating in an autoimmune state. A COVID-19 initiated CNS autoimmune cascade may occur via multiple pathways including molecular mimicry, bystander activation, epitope spreading, production of autoantibodies, and immortalization of effector B-cells.