Model-based cellular kinetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection: different immune response modes and treatment strategies

TL;DR

This paper develops a mathematical model to analyze SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics, classifies immune response modes, and suggests tailored treatment strategies based on immune efficacy and lymphocyte supply.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model linking immune response modes with clinical outcomes and proposes specific treatment strategies for different immune response types.

Findings

Identified three typical immune response modes correlating with disease severity.

Highlighted the importance of immune efficacy and lymphocyte supply in disease progression.

Suggested targeted treatment strategies for each immune response mode.

Abstract

Increasing number in global COVID-19 cases demands for mathematical model to analyze the interaction between the virus dynamics and the response of innate and adaptive immunity. Here, based on the assumption of a weak and delayed response of the innate and adaptive immunity in SARS-CoV-2 infection, we constructed a mathematical model to describe the dynamic processes of immune system. Integrating theoretical results with clinical COVID-19 patients' data, we classified the COVID-19 development processes into three typical modes of immune responses, correlated with the clinical classification of mild & moderate, severe and critical patients. We found that the immune efficacy (the ability of host to clear virus and kill infected cells) and the lymphocyte supply (the abundance and pool of na\"ive T and B cell) play important roles in the dynamic process and determine the clinical outcome, especially for the severe and critical patients. Furthermore, we put forward possible treatment strategies for the three typical modes of immune response. We hope our results can help to understand the dynamical mechanism of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to be useful for the treatment strategies and vaccine design.