Type I interferons and SARS-CoV-2: from cells to organisms.

Abstract

Type I interferons (IFNs) have broad and potent antiviral activity. We review the interplay between type I IFNs and SARS-CoV-2. Human cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro produce low levels of type I IFNs, and SARS-CoV-2 proteins can inhibit various steps in type I IFN production and response. Exogenous type I IFNs inhibit viral growth in vitro. In various animal species infected in vivo, type I IFN deficiencies underlie higher viral loads and more severe disease than in control animals. The early administration of exogenous type I IFNs improves infection control. In humans, inborn errors of, and auto-antibodies against type I IFNs underlie life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. Overall, type I IFNs are essential for host defense against SARS-CoV-2 in individual cells and whole organisms.

• Authors: Paul Bastard, Qian Zhang, Shen-Ying Zhang, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Jean-Laurent Casanova
• Journal: Current opinion in immunology (Curr Opin Immunol) Vol. 74 Pg. 172-182 (02 2022) ISSN: 1879-0372 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35149239 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Interferon Type I

Topics

• Animals
• COVID-19 (immunology)
• Humans
• Interferon Type I (immunology)
• SARS-CoV-2 (immunology)