Researchers from the University of Ljubljana have published a new review on how the immune system overreacts in severe COVID-19. This work is part of REMEDi4ALL’s efforts to find new ways to treat the disease using existing medicines.
Why is this needed?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, significant research has been done to better understand how the body’s natural defence system, the immune system, responds to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In some COVID-19 cases, the immune system overreacts, triggering excessive inflammation that damages organs.
By better understanding the immune response to COVID-19 infection, we are better placed to 1. Understand the exact mechanism of action of recently repurposed drugs for COVID-19 and 2. Identify novel drug targets for potential repurposing of existing drugs.
What was done?
In this review paper, researchers from the University of Ljubljana explore existing literature on immune dysregulation, where the immune system “overreacts” in response to exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to severe inflammation.
What was found?
Researchers´ review of severe COVID-19 infection revealed that cytokine storm – the release of many molecules that cause inflammation and activate the immune system at once – occurs due to disrupted signalling between different elements of the immune system and activation of cells which create more inflammation which worsens disease. The review also indicated the vaccines and antivirals effective in preventing this alongside immunosuppressive drugs and therapies targeting cytokines.
Why does it matter?
This review helps us to better understand how the immune system responds to severe COVID-19 infection and provides insights into specific parts of the immune response that could be targeted, potentially through repurposed drugs, to refine treatments and improving patient care in COVID-19 and another related conditions.
How can I find out more?
If you are interested in finding out more about this work you can read the full review in Cytokine & Growth Factor Review and explore the in-silico drug repurposing catalogue on the REMEDi4ALL website.
If you would like to find out more about the work of REMEDi4ALL in developing a European platform for medicines repurposing, explore our website and join our multistakeholder LinkedIn forum.
Interested in continuing the conversation? Join us this May in Amsterdam for Medicines Reimagined, the international drug repurposing conference.
