ABSTRACT
Numerous immunomodulating agents are currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, including interferon therapies. Interferons are naturally occurring host antiviral proteins upstream of the inflammatory pathway that are released by host cells in response to the presence of viral pathogens. It is known that beta coronaviruses deploy anti-interferon defenses to escape host innate immunity early in the infection course, and thus interferons have become attractive candidates for treatment of COVID-19. Questions surrounding timing, type of interferon, and route of administration all remain unanswered. Here we discuss the role of interferons in host antiviral immunity, and review the current data surrounding use of interferons in COVID-19.
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Leonard H. Calabrese, DO⇑
- Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Orthopedic & Rheumatologic Institute, Cleveland Clinic
- Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Correspondence:
Leonard H. Calabrese, DO, Department Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, A50, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; calabrl{at}ccf.org
- Tiphaine Lenfant, MD
- Cassandra Calabrese, DO
ABSTRACT
Numerous immunomodulating agents are currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, including interferon therapies. Interferons are naturally occurring host antiviral proteins upstream of the inflammatory pathway that are released by host cells in response to the presence of viral pathogens. It is known that beta coronaviruses deploy anti-interferon defenses to escape host innate immunity early in the infection course, and thus interferons have become attractive candidates for treatment of COVID-19. Questions surrounding timing, type of interferon, and route of administration all remain unanswered. Here we discuss the role of interferons in host antiviral immunity, and review the current data surrounding use of interferons in COVID-19.
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.