SARS-CoV-2 infection in microglia and its sequelae: What do we know so far?

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the COVID-19 pandemic. After the success of therapeutics and worldwide vaccination, the long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infections are yet to be determined. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include the loss of taste and smell, suggesting SARS-CoV-2 infection has a potentially detrimental effect on neurons within the olfactory/taste pathways, with direct access to the central nervous system (CNS). This could explain the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens in the brains of COVID-19 patients. Different viruses display neurotropism that causes impaired neurodevelopment and/or neurodegeneration. Hence, it is plausible that COVID-19-associated neuropathologies are directly driven by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the CNS. Microglia, resident immune cells of the brain, are constantly under investigation as their surveillance role has been suggested to act as a friend or a foe impacting the progression of neurological disorders. Herein, we review the current literature suggesting microglia potentially been a susceptible target by SARS-CoV-2 virions and their role in viral dissemination within the CNS. Particular attention is given to the different experimental models and their translational potential.