IFNλ: balancing the light and dark side in pulmonary infection

Abstract

Interferon (IFN) represents a well-known component of antiviral immunity that has been studied extensively for its mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential when antiviral treatment options are limited. Specifically in the respiratory tract, IFNs are induced directly on viral recognition to limit the spread and transmission of the virus. Recent focus has been on the IFNλ family, which has become an exciting focus in recent years for its potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities against viruses infecting barrier sites, including the respiratory tract. However, insights into the interplay between IFNλs and other pulmonary infections are more limited and suggest a more complex role, potentially detrimental, than what was seen during viral infections. Here, we review the role of IFNλs in pulmonary infections, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and multi-pathogen super-infections, and how this may impact future work in the field.

Role of interferons in the antiviral battle: from virus-host crosstalk to prophylactic and therapeutic potential in SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…IFNs are one of the six groups of cytokines (i.e., interleukins-ILs, tumor necrosis factors-TNFs, chemokines, transforming growth factors-TGFs, hemopoietic growth factors, and IFNs) produced by the host cells primarily in response to viral pathogens. Four types of IFNs, noted I (IFNα with 13 subtypes, IFNβ, IFNϵ, IFNκ, IFNω found in bovines and humans, IFNδ found in pig, IFNτ, IFNς or limitin and trofoblastic IFNτ in ruminants), II (IFN-γ), III (IFN-λ1-4 sharing similarities with the IL-10 family cytokines) and IV were described until now ( 18 , 32 – 46 ).…”

Advances in preparation and application of antibacterial hydrogels

“…As is known to all, humans have been plagued by influenza pandemics, which have brought misery, disease, and even death to humans over the past few hundred years [ 4 ]. Secondary bacterial infections due to influenza are associated with greatly increased mortality, particularly some infections caused by gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) [ 5 , 6 ]. Since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, the use of antibiotics provided a new method of antibacterial treatment [ 7 , 8 ].…”