The Levy Library Blog

Article in the Spotlight: September 2020

Each month Levy Library showcases the achievements of Mount Sinai faculty and researchers by highlighting an article and its altmetrics. Altmetrics are alternative measures of impact that capture non-traditional data like abstract views, article downloads, and social media activity. Our altmetrics data is provided by the PlumX platform. 

This month we highlight Imbalanced Host Response to SARS-CoV-2 Drives Development of COVID-19. This article was written in part by Daniel Blanco-Melo, Randy Albrecht, PhD, Jean K Lim, PhD, David Sachs, Benjamin Robert tenOever, PhD, David Sachs MS, and Benjamin Nilsson-Payant, PhD.       

HIGHLIGHTS

• SARS-CoV-2 infection induces low IFN-I and -III levels with a moderate ISG response

• Strong chemokine expression is consistent across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models

• Low innate antiviral defenses and high pro-inflammatory cues contribute to COVID-19

SUMMARY

Viral pandemics, such as the one caused by SARS-CoV-2, pose an imminent threat to humanity. Because of its recent emergence, there is a paucity of information regarding viral behavior and host response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we offer an in-depth analysis of the transcriptional response to SARS-CoV-2 compared with other respiratory viruses. Cell and animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in addition to transcriptional and serum profiling of COVID-19 patients, consistently revealed a unique and inappropriate inflammatory response. This response is defined by low levels of type I and III interferons juxtaposed to elevated chemokines and high expression of IL-6. We propose that reduced innate antiviral defenses coupled with exuberant inflammatory cytokine production are the defining and driving features of COVID-19.

 

View the PlumX article profile