Understanding the balance between stimulatory and suppressive functions of neutrophils during SARS-CoV-2 infection

The new coronavirus that emerged in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, causes respiratory disease, termed COVID-19, leading to a global pandemic. With millions of people affected worldwide and thousands dead, the infection rates continue to rise everyday. Development of vaccines and/or therapeutic drugs is critical to contain and eventually stop this devastating pandemic. Therefore, better understanding of various aspects of the virus and the immune responses it elicits is crucial. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells and are the first line of defence against infections. These cells have proven to be vital for fighting infections when stimulated to certain levels but when over-stimulated, they can also have harmful effects. Indeed, very high neutrophil levels have been recorded in COVID-19. Thus, it is important to understand the in-depth mechanisms controlling the different functions of neutrophils to achieve a delicate balance needed for effective protection. In this study, we aim to analyze the functional changes in neutrophils collected from healthy donors and donors experiencing mild or severe COVID-19. This will shed light on the roles of neutrophils during SARS-CoV-2 infection and help identify potential therapeutic targets. Gaining knowledge about every aspect of this new coronavirus disease is the most effective way to develop new strategies to combat it worldwide.