Scientific American: An Immune Protein Could Prevent Severe COVID-19—if It Is Given at the Right Time

Interferons play an important, yet complicated, role in suppressing virus replication, and they are currently being researched as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Studies on interferons have produced somewhat contradictory results. One study found that people with severe COVID-19 had a decrease in interferons compared to those with milder forms of the disease. A different study found that severe COVID-19 cases had increased activity in interferon-stimulated genes. A key to this puzzling dichotomy is a third study at the University of Iowa which demonstrates that an interferon response before the viral replication peaks will lead to protective immunity. If this step fails to kill the virus the delayed interferon response will become problematic and actually worsen the disease. These findings suggest that an interferon given early can increase the antiviral response while an interferon given after inflammation has occurred could make things worse. Timing plays a critical role in how this potential treatment affects the body. To read the full article by Esther Landhuis and published in Scientific American click here.