COVID-19 and autoimmunity

COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, is associated with a plethora of immune-mediated and autoimmune phenomena. A great percentage of infected patients develop autoantibodies, even in the case of non severe disease, raising the issue as to whether those autoantibodies are the forerunners of early autoimmune diseases. Also, COVID-19 patients develop de-novo organ and non-organ immune-mediated manifestations, some of which are evolving into full blown autoimmune diseases, which require immunomodulatory treatments. This issue will tackle this topic and will discuss pathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms which link the virus with autoimmune manifestations which will assist efforts of experimental and translational research to understand the origin of the documented link.

Submission deadline: 30/04/2024