Interferon β, an enhancer of the innate immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection

• Main Authors: Kali, Suresh Kumar, Dröge, Peter, Murugan, Priyatharshini
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Science::Biological sciences; Coronavirus Disease 2019; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/162011
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

COVID-19 exhibits a global health threat among the elderly and the population with underlying health conditions. During infection, the host's innate immune response acts as a frontline of defense by releasing cytokines such as type I interferon (IFN α and β) thereby initiating antiviral activity. However, this particular interferon response is interrupted by factors such as SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins, aging, diabetes, and germ-line errors eventually making the host more susceptible to illness. Therefore, enhancing the host's innate immune response by administering type I IFN could be an effective treatment against COVID-19. Here, we highlight the importance of innate immune response and the role of IFN β monotherapy against COVID-19.