Historical Perspectives of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Subversion of Host Cell: Biochemical and Pathological Aspects

Abstract

The pandemic of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) was a worldwide health crisis affecting many more people than 221 countries causing life-threatening complications and indirectly affecting even more individuals through disruption of daily living. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is a member of beta-coronavirus having RNA as a genetic material sharing 79% similarity with the bat SARS-CoV genome. The SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cells by binding specifically to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) which is expressed on the surface of epithelial cells in the respiratory tract, intestine, kidneys, and others causing severe acute respiratory failure and other complications. In addition to respiratory symptoms, uncontrolled SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce a cytokine storm, whereby pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β are increased, which in turn leads to multiorgan damage. Herein, we described the history and classification of coronaviruses, geographical distribution of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 structure and genomic organization, life cycle, immunopathological responses, symptoms, and finally pulmonary and extra-pulmonary complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection.