Sleep Deprivation, Immune Suppression and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Sleep health and its adaptation to individual and environmental factors are crucial to promote physical and mental well-being across animal species. In recent years, increasing evidence has been reported regarding the relationship between sleep and the immune system and how sleep disturbances may perturb the delicate balance with severe repercussions on health outcomes. For instance, experimental sleep deprivation studies in vivo have reported several major detrimental effects on immune health, including induced failure of host defense in rats and increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and immune suppression in humans. In addition, two novel risk factors for dysregulated metabolic physiology have recently been identified: sleep disruption and circadian misalignment. In light of these recent findings about the interplay between sleep and the immune system, in this review, we focus on the relationship between sleep deprivation and immunity against viruses, with a special interest in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Automated summary

Sleep health is crucial for physical and mental well-being across animal species. Recent research has shown that sleep disturbances can have detrimental effects on immune health, increasing the risk for metabolic syndrome and immune suppression. Sleep disruption and circadian misalignment have been identified as new risk factors for dysregulated metabolic physiology. This review focuses on the relationship between sleep deprivation and immunity against viruses, with a specific interest in SARS-CoV-2 infection.