Highlights in the fight against COVID-19: does autophagy play a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection?

In the preceding months, the novel SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has devastated global communities. The need for safe and effective prophylactic and therapeutic treatments to combat COVID-19 – the human disease resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection – is clear. Here, we present recent developments in the effort to combat COVID-19 and consider whether SARS-CoV-2 may potentially interact with the host autophagy pathway. Abbreviations: ACE2, angiotensin converting enzyme II; βCoV, betacoronavirus; COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019; CQ, chloroquine; DMV, double-membrane vesicle; GI, gastrointestinal; HCQ, hydroxychloroquine; IL, interleukin; MAP1LC3/LC3, microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MEFs, mouse embryonic fibroblasts; MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; MHV, murine hepatitis virus; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; TMPRSS2, transmembrane serine protease 2; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; WHO, World Health Organization