SARS-CoV-2 suppresses innate host immunity

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, blocks innate immune activation processes that normally direct the production and / or signaling of type I interferon (IFN-I) by cells and infected tissues. IFN-I is a key component of innate host immunity which is responsible for clearing the virus at the early stage of infection, as summarized in a recent review article in Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research (JICR). By suppressing innate immunity, the virus replicates and spreads throughout the body without control, leading to the disease known as COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 uses a variety of approaches to evade the host’s IFN-I response, including suppression of IFN-I production and IFN-I signaling. Viruses defective in the IFN-I antagonist response, in combination with replication defective mutations, could potentially be developed as live attenuated candidate vaccines. “

Hongjie Xia and Pei-Yong Shi, Medical Department of the University of Texas at Galveston

“The targeting of innate immunity is of great interest for therapeutic and vaccine strategies aimed at controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection and protecting against COVID-19. By revealing how the virus blocks innate immune programs, we can then develop approaches to restore these processes and strengthen antiviral immunity, “says Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research Editor-in-Chief Michael Gale Jr., Department of Immunology and Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington.

Other COVID-related articles in this issue of Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research include a review by Benjamin Liu and Harry Hill on the role of host immune and inflammatory responses in COVID-19 cases with underlying primary immune deficiency. Patients with primary immunodeficiency are very vulnerable to viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. The authors conclude that routine intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may provide some protective effects in patients with primary immunodeficiency.

Ricardo Pereda and his co-authors are exploring the therapeutic efficacy of alpha 2b interferon therapy for curing patients with COVID-19. They showed that interferon treatment decreases the likelihood of staying in intensive care and increases patient survival after severe or critical illness.