Olfactory immune response to SARS-CoV-2

Cell Mol Immunol. 2023 Dec 25. doi: 10.1038/s41423-023-01119-5. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTNumerous pathogens can infect the olfactory tract, yet the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has strongly emphasized the importance of the olfactory mucosa as an immune barrier. Situated in the nasal passages, the olfactory mucosa is directly exposed to the environment to sense airborne odorants; however, this also means it can serve as a direct route of entry from the outside world into the brain. As a result, olfactotropic infections can have serious consequences, including dysfunction of the olfactory system, CNS invasion, dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, and transmission between individuals. Recent research has shown that a distinctive immune response is needed to protect this neuronal and mucosal tissue. A better understanding of innate, adaptive, and structural immune barriers in the olfactory mucosa is needed to develop effective therapeutics and vaccines against olfactotropic microbes such as SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarize the ramifications of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the olfactory mucosa, review the subsequent immune response, and discuss important areas of future research for olfactory immunity to infectious disease.PMID:38143247 | DOI:10.1038/s41423-023-01119-5
Source: Cellular and Molecular Immunology - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Source Type: research