Pathogenesis of Human Coronavirus Infections

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 21995

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, United States
Interests: pathogenic human coronaviruses; virus–host interaction and pathogenesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging pathogenic human coronaviruses (hCoVs) pose a significant threat to public health and the global economy. Over the last two decades, three pathogenic coronaviruses have emerged from zoonotic sources to cause severe disease in humans. Several researchers have now identified SARS- and MERS-like coronaviruses in the bat population, making it likely that these viruses will continue to cross the species barrier, causing outbreaks in humans. Recently emerged novel coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-2019) is an excellent example of a pathogenic coronavirus that likely jumped from a zoonotic source, causing a severe epidemic. Since humans are immunologically naïve to emerging and re-emerging pathogens, these viruses effectively evade host immunity and cause severe disease. At present, no approved vaccines or specific antivirals are available to prevent or treat hCoV infections. Therefore, developing novel therapeutics to prevent and control hCoV epidemics is necessary. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand the molecular basis for the severe respiratory illness caused by pathogenic hCoVs. Despite extensive research over the last two decades, there are still critical gaps in our understanding of the hCoV pathogenesis.

This Special Issue will address a wide range of topics focusing on virus–host interactions and evasion of host immunity by hCoVs, mechanisms of protective and pathogenic immunity, vaccines, and antiviral drug development. The aim of this Special Issue is to help to fill the gaps in our current understanding of hCoV pathogenesis. We will consider all types of articles for publication, including short reports, original research articles, and reviews.

Dr. Rudragouda Channappanavar
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pathogenic human coronaviruses
  • virus–host interaction
  • immune evasion
  • pathogenesis
  • animal models
  • antivirals
  • vaccines

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 653 KiB  
Article
Recognition of Long-COVID-19 Patients in a Canadian Tertiary Hospital Setting: A Retrospective Analysis of Their Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics
by Robert Kozak, Susan M. Armstrong, Elsa Salvant, Claudia Ritzker, Jordan Feld, Mia J. Biondi and Hubert Tsui
Pathogens 2021, 10(10), 1246; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101246 - 26 Sep 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3675
Abstract
A proportion of patients with COVID-19 have symptoms past the acute disease phase, which may affect quality of life. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this “long-COVID-19” syndrome to better diagnose, treat, and prevent it. We reviewed clinical and laboratory [...] Read more.
A proportion of patients with COVID-19 have symptoms past the acute disease phase, which may affect quality of life. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this “long-COVID-19” syndrome to better diagnose, treat, and prevent it. We reviewed clinical and laboratory characteristics of a COVID-19 cohort in a Toronto, Ontario tertiary care center. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and patients were classified as “long-COVID-19” or “non-long-COVID-19” using consensus criteria. Of 397 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, 223 met inclusion criteria, and 62 (27%) had long-COVID-19. These patients had a similar age distribution compared to non-long-COVID-19 patients overall but were younger in the admitted long COVID-19 group. The long-COVID-19 group had more inpatients compared to the non-long-COVID-19 group (39% vs. 25%) and more frequent supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation use. However, long-COVID-19 patients did not differ by duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, comorbidities, or values of common laboratory tests ordered. The most frequent symptoms associated with long-COVID-19 were fatigue and weakness, as reported most commonly by the infectious disease, respirology and cardiology disciplines. In conclusion, by retrospective chart review, 27% of COVID-19 patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Toronto, Canada, were found to meet criteria for long-COVID-19. Past medical history and routine laboratory testing at presentation did not predict for long-COVID-19 development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis of Human Coronavirus Infections)
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13 pages, 1764 KiB  
Article
Interactome Analysis of the Nucleocapsid Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Virus
by Xiaoqin Zheng, Zeyu Sun, Liang Yu, Danrong Shi, Miaojin Zhu, Hangping Yao and Lanjuan Li
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091155 - 8 Sep 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3922
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused a global pandemic that has severely damaged both public health and the economy. The nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 is multifunctional and plays an important role in ribonucleocapsid formation and viral genome replication. In order to elucidate its functions, interaction [...] Read more.
SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused a global pandemic that has severely damaged both public health and the economy. The nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 is multifunctional and plays an important role in ribonucleocapsid formation and viral genome replication. In order to elucidate its functions, interaction partners of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in human cells were identified via affinity purification and mass spectrometry. We identified 160 cellular proteins as interaction partners of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in HEK293T and/or Calu-3 cells. Functional analysis revealed strong enrichment for ribosome biogenesis and RNA-associated processes, including ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis, ribosomal large and small subunits biogenesis, RNA binding, catalysis, translation and transcription. Proteins related to virus defence responses, including MOV10, EIF2AK2, TRIM25, G3BP1, ZC3HAV1 and ZCCHC3 were also identified in the N protein interactome. This study comprehensively profiled the viral–host interactome of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in human cells, and the findings provide the basis for further studies on the pathogenesis and antiviral strategies for this emerging infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis of Human Coronavirus Infections)
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Review

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27 pages, 2255 KiB  
Review
Biology and Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2: Understandings for Therapeutic Developments against COVID-19
by Homa Nath Sharma, Charity O. D. Latimore and Qiana L. Matthews
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091218 - 19 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 9221
Abstract
Coronaviruses are positive sense, single-stranded, enveloped, and non-segmented RNA viruses that belong to the Coronaviridae family within the order Nidovirales and suborder Coronavirinae. Two Alphacoronavirus strains: HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63 and five Betacoronaviruses: HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 have so far been recognized [...] Read more.
Coronaviruses are positive sense, single-stranded, enveloped, and non-segmented RNA viruses that belong to the Coronaviridae family within the order Nidovirales and suborder Coronavirinae. Two Alphacoronavirus strains: HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63 and five Betacoronaviruses: HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 have so far been recognized as Human Coronaviruses (HCoVs). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is currently the greatest concern for humanity. Despite the overflow of research on SARS-CoV-2 and other HCoVs published every week, existing knowledge in this area is insufficient for the complete understanding of the viruses and the diseases caused by them. This review is based on the analysis of 210 published works, and it attempts to cover the basic biology of coronaviruses, including the genetic characteristics, life cycle, and host-pathogen interaction, pathogenesis, the antiviral drugs, and vaccines against HCoVs, especially focusing on SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we will briefly discuss the potential link between extracellular vesicles (EVs) and SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pathophysiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis of Human Coronavirus Infections)
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9 pages, 565 KiB  
Review
Molecular Aspects of COVID-19 Differential Pathogenesis
by Hussin A. Rothan, Arpan Acharya, St Patrick Reid, Mukesh Kumar and Siddappa N. Byrareddy
Pathogens 2020, 9(7), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9070538 - 6 Jul 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4317
Abstract
In the absence of therapeutic interventions, and a possible vaccine candidate, the spread of COVID-19 disease and associated fatalities are on the rise. The high mutation frequency in the genomic material of these viruses supports their ability to adapt to new environments, resulting [...] Read more.
In the absence of therapeutic interventions, and a possible vaccine candidate, the spread of COVID-19 disease and associated fatalities are on the rise. The high mutation frequency in the genomic material of these viruses supports their ability to adapt to new environments, resulting in an efficient alteration in tissue tropism and host range. Therefore, the coronavirus’ health threats could be relevant for the long-term. The epidemiological data indicate that age, sex, and cardio-metabolic disease have a significant impact on the spread and severity of COVID-19. In this review, we highlight recent updates on the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 among men and women, including children. We also discuss the role of the cellular receptors and coreceptors used by the virus to enter host cells on differential infection among men, women, and cardio-metabolic patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis of Human Coronavirus Infections)
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