A group of La Paz University Essential, Spain has suggested a treatment based on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms that can be completely mimicked by a protein cocktail of SARS-CoV-2.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33283062/
In patients with COVID-19, inflammation and cytokine storms are induced, and il-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α are known to be highly expressed. This early stage can be explained by excessive activation of monocytes and macrophages. In the later stages of COVID-19, adaptive immunity plays a critical role, and in severe patients, lymphocytes are significantly reduced.
Blood cells obtained from healthy people was incubated with SARS-CoV-2 S-protein, N-protein and P-protein cocktails and developed a phenotype that mimics the COVID-19 condition. For example, in monocytes, HLA-DR, the signal path for antigen presentation, was reduced, and PD-L1, a immune checkpoint ligand, was highly expressed.
From these results, it was suggested that the use of inhibitors (antibodies) for immune checkpoint molecules could lead to effective treatment. Actually, a clinical trial using camrelizumab (PD-1 antibody) is in progress.
Expect progress.