Host-microbe Interaction in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Mechanism and Intervention

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Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was induced by highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The pandemic has reached every continent including Antarctica leading to the tragic loss of lives across the globe not to mention the devastating social and economic impact. This severe disease is characterized by metabolic acidosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, and multiple organ dysfunction. After more than a year with the pandemic, our knowledge regarding COVID-19 has significantly progressed. Nonetheless, many aspects regarding the virology, pathophysiology, and immunology of this disease are still poorly understood resulting in management challenges of this pandemic.

Virus-host interactions are complex processes including host cell binding, virus entry, dissemination, and lastly lytic or persistent infection. In order to execute their replication cycle, viruses interact with the host via numerous cellular pathways. Host cell entry, delivery at replication sites, or exit of virus from the host cell, all need certain interactions between the viral and host factors. Furthermore, many viral proteins interact with cellular proteins to inhibit their antiviral functions so that the virus can evade host immune responses. On the other hand, the host employs an adaptive immune system including humoral responses, cellular responses, and innate antiviral mechanisms to combat the intruder. Hence, virus-host interactions represent an ongoing evolutionary arms race at the molecular and cellular levels. With numerous continuing efforts for the development of vaccines and drugs for COVID-19, knowledge of molecular interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 and the host immune system is crucial for devising successful therapeutics.

The aim of this Research Topic is to bring together scientists to uncover various aspects of SARS-CoV-2-host cell interactions. Investigations into the basic biology of SARS-CoV-2, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and transmission require multidisciplinary research efforts and expertise. These studies are critical for effective prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2-host interaction is also important for our preparedness for future emergence or re-emergence of more pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 variants or other similar viruses. We believe that a series of articles within the framework of this Research Topic will make a significant contribution to the rapidly developing while still highly controversial aspects of SARS-CoV-2 research.

This research topic aims to compile a collection of state-of-the-art and up-to-date articles covering significant aspects of SARS-CoV-2-host interaction. We welcome the submission of basic and translational Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles on the following sub-topics:

1) Interaction between the immune system and microbiome during COVID

2) Host and Viral determinants for efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection

3) Host factors that are involved in pathogen recognition and determination of the successful infection

4) How SARS-CoV-2 regulate host immune response

5) Comparative SARS-CoV-2-host protein interaction analyses

6) Analyses of SARS-CoV-2 proteins localization in host cells

7) Modulation of innate and adaptive immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection

8) Pathophysiological impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy

9) Host transmission modalities in SARS-CoV-2

10) Host factors co-opted in SARS-CoV-2

11) New insights in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in animal models

12) Signalling pathways activated during the SARS-CoV-2 infection

13) Molecular aspects of immune evasion during the SARS-CoV-2 infection

14) Zooanthroponotic potential of SARS-CoV-2

15) Therapeutic targets of SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of host-microbe interactions

16) Protein-protein interactions (PPI) analyses between proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and the host

17) Host responses induced by specific proteins of SARS-CoV-2

18) Novel models to study various aspects of SARS-CoV-2-host interaction

19) Novel point-of-care diagnostic approaches and novel non-invasive tools to determine disease severity

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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