Fig 1.

Possible mechanisms of immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2. Immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 may be favored in individuals with compromised ability to mount efficient immune responses such as old people and patients with immunodeficiency or individuals carrying HLA alleles unable to properly present SARS-CoV-2 peptides to T lymphocytes. In addition, a high viral load may overcome the barriers of the immune responses. Notably, viruses escaping control may inhibit IFN-1 and infect cells of both innate and adaptive immunity by exerting a cytopathic effect. In turn, the compromised function of immune cells and the impaired antiviral effect of IFN-1 would further favor immune evasion, resulting in highly detrimental pathological effects. DC, Dendritic cell.