Abstract
Underlying mechanisms of multi-organ manifestations and exacerbated inflammation in COVID-19 are yet to be delineated. The hypothesis of SARS-CoV-2 triggering autoimmunity is gaining attention and, in the present study, we have identified 28 human proteins harbouring regions homologous to SARS-CoV-2 peptides that could possibly be acting as autoantigens in COVID-19 patients displaying autoimmune conditions. Interestingly, these conserved regions are amongst the experimentally validated B cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. The reported human proteins have demonstrated presence of autoantibodies against them in typical autoimmune conditions which may explain the frequent occurrence of autoimmune conditions following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the proposed autoantigens’ widespread tissue distribution is suggestive of their involvement in multi-organ manifestations via molecular mimicry. We opine that our report may aid in directing subsequent necessary antigen-specific studies, results of which would be of long-term relevance in management of extrapulmonary symptoms of COVID-19.
Keywords: Autoimmunity; COVID-19; Molecular mimicry; Multi-organ damage; SARS-COV-2.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Autoimmunity, molecular mimicry, Multi-organ damage, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation, SARS-COV-2 infection, Region, management, molecular, distribution, homologous, mechanism, autoantigen, Hypothesis, SARS-CoV-2 proteins, B cell epitope, COVID-19 patient, manifestation, autoantibody, autoimmune condition, tissue, symptoms of COVID-19, autoimmune conditions, triggering, widespread, Occurrence, conserved, reported, subsequent, exacerbated, demonstrated, displaying, explain, acting, human protein, SARS-CoV-2 peptide, 【제목키워드】 target, identification, multi, organ,