Systemic and mucosal immune response variation during SARS-CoV-2 infection and recovery – CoVarImm

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that primarily targets the human respiratory system and is caused by a novel virus denoted ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2). The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is the primary cause of the lung pathology and associated morbidities that lead to death in a substantial proportion of infected individuals. Nevertheless, immune responsiveness to this novel coronavirus appears quite variable in humans as indicated by reports of healthy viral ‘spreaders’ showing minimal disease. We have limited knowledge of the kinetics, intensity and diversity of cellular and humoral immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. Using an innovative technical pipeline based on the Milieu Intérieur cohort approach, we will characterize systemic as well as local nasal mucosal innate and adaptive immune responses during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aim to identify immune signatures as well as potential environmental and/or host factors that can distinguish clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Characterizing variability in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection may help to identify patients who will clear the virus with few side effects versus those who will go on to have a catastrophic pathological response.