Coronavirus (COVID-19)

+++ CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) +++

The crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus give the viruses of the Coronaviridae family their name: Corona is Latin for crown or wreath.

So far, seven types of Coronaviridae are known to be able to infect humans.

The SARS-like coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (formerly 2019-nCoV) was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China. Since then, the virus has spread at an enormously rapid rate, so that there is now talk of a global outbreak. Numerous quarantines have been ordered to protect patients at risk and to prevent infection, and the everyday life of many people in the affected areas is severely restricted.

A characteristic feature of the Coronaviridae virus family is the length of its genome: With approximately 30,000 nucleotides, the single-stranded RNA genome is the longest among the RNA viruses. It codes for different proteins, which all have unique functions. These include, among others, the spike protein, N protein, HE protein, the papain-like protease and the M protein.

Due to its genetic preservation, the N (nucleocapsid) protein is used as a diagnostic marker. A target for vaccines and antibodies is the spike protein, which is responsible for binding to surface receptors on the host cell. Therefore, the latter protein and its interaction with the host cell receptor is also a central linchpin for coronavirus infection.

Similarly, other viruses also show binding to characteristic surface receptors: The viruses HCOV- NL63, SARS-COV and the new SARS-COV-2 viruses all bind to the ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor. In contrast, the MERS-COV virus binds selectively to the DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) receptor. Binding receptor for the HCOV-229E virus is the APN (aminopeptidase N) receptor. HKU1 and OC43 on the other hand bind to O-ac Sia.

After an infection, affected people develop symptoms of disease within the respiratory tract, which can have varying degrees of severity.

The Cytokine Storm

Cytokine Storm - Definition

Cytokine storm is the excessive reaction of the immune system to external stimuli such as the intrusion of a SARS-CoV-2 virus. The term hypercytokinemia is used as a synonym and it represents a dangerous form of the cytokine release syndrome (CRS).

Cytokine storm - background

When infected with a pathogen, T cells and macrophages release so-called cytokines. Cytokines can be divided into five categories: chemokines, interferons, interleukins, colony stimulating factors, tumor necrosis factors.

Thus, these immune cells use cytokines to ensure that further immune cells are directed to the site of penetration, that an inflammatory reaction improves blood circulation in the tissue and that a comprehensive immune response can be initiated.

The best known cytokines in this context are TNF-alpha, Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6 and the chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10 and CXCL9. Normally, this immune reaction is then shut down again. In case of a cytokine storm, however, this is not the case. In this case there is a self-reinforcing, i.e. positive feedback of the process.

This leads to a complex pathogenesis, which initially causes a deterioration of the health status and in some cases even an increase in the mortality rate. This is usually due to organ failure caused by the excessive accumulation of immune cells at the site of inflammation.

Therefore, a major focus of COVID-19 research is the understanding and therapy of such a cytokine overreaction. For your easy and cost-efficient research on these highly interesting cytokine dynamics we offer you numerous enzyme immunosorbent assays (ELISA) from numerous high-quality manufacturers.

Cytokine storm - symptoms

Typical symptoms of a cytokine storm include fever, swelling, redness, fatigue and nausea.

To accelerate COVID-19 research and detection, we offer a variety of tools for human coronavirus research.

Antikörper

ELISA

Proteine

PCR Kits

A selection of coronavirus proteins and associated products

A selection of coronavirus receptors

A selection of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 top sellers for your research