Immunological Responses against SARS-Coronavirus Infection in Humans

摘要

＜正＞ Since the outbreak of a SARS epidemic last year,significant advances have been made on our understanding ofthe mechanisms of interaction between the SARS coronavirus（CoV）and the immune system.Strong humoralresponses have been found in most patients following SARS-CoV infection,with high titers of neutralizing Abspresent in their convalescent sera.The nucleocapsid（N）and spike（S）proteins of SARS-CoV appear to be thedominant antigens recognized by serum Abs.CD4+ T cell responses against the N protein have been observedin SARS patients and an HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope in the S protein has been identified.It is likely that the immune responses induced by SARS-CoV infection could also cause pathological damage tothe host,especially in the case of proinflammatory cytokines.There is also evidence suggesting that SARS-CoVmight be able to directly invade cells of the immune system.Our understanding on the interaction betweenSARS-CoV,the immune system and local tissues is essential to future diagnosis,control and treatment of thisvery contagious disease.Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.2004;1（2）:119-122.