Question

1. What receptor is SARS-2 using to enter the cell?

2. How does the infected cell show it is infected?

3. What type of immune response is required for long-lasting immunity to a virus-like SARS-2?

4. Does it appear that reinfection is possible? Why or why not?

5. What don't we know about the antibody produced?

6. How does this look for a vaccine?

Answer 1

1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 or ACE2 recetor.

2. The infected cell show it is infected by showing cytopathic effects which is the structural changes in host cells by disintegrating the cell by rupturing its cell membrane.

3. Cell-mediated immunity and Humoral immunity

4. As we know that the number of neutralising antibodies responsible for binding SARS-2 viral proteins to prevent infection last just for few weeks and then the levels reduces apparently. Hence there are a chance of reinfection but studies have also found that if reinfection occurs, our immunity acts stronger than earlier against the pathogen.

5. One thing that we don't know about the antibody produced is whether antibodies produced during the primary infection are protective against a second infection. Secondly, there is also a question of whether the production of these antibodies are protective for everyone or varies in population.

6. This creates a huge dilemma for all the researchers who are working day and night for the production of such vaccine. The question is whether the vaccine would be able to protect the whole population of the world or significantly lesser numbers. Another question is if works against the primary infection, what are the chances it will also work on the second wave.