SARS-CoV-2 Cellular Entry and Antigen Recognition: Modulating Immunological Responses

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an enormous collaborative international effort within the medical and scientific community. This effort resulted in the development of several vaccines stemming from various platforms within an unprecedented timeframe. The binding of the spike protein, a specific region on the virus surface, to specific regions on certain adhesion molecules is critical at this port of entry. Once infected, the virus begins to replicate, destroys the host cells, and spreads to other cells, leading to disease. This review outlines some of the specific receptors expressed on endothelial and epithelial cells mediating the entry of the virus into the host cells via the virus-binding ligand, the spike protein. This is a key factor to be considered for developing new vaccines and therapeutic strategies against both current and potential future variants.