Therapeutic Approaches for COVID-19 Based on the Interferon-Mediated Immune Responses

Abstract

Background: As the outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated, an urgent need for finding strategies to combat the virus is growing. Thus, gaining more knowledge on the pathogenicity mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, the causing agent of COVID-19, and its interaction with the immune system is of utmost importance. Although this novel virus is not well known yet, its structural and genetic similarity with SARS-CoV as well as the comparable pattern of age-mortality relations suggest that some previous findings on SARS could be applicable for COVID-19. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the most important signaling pathways activated by coronaviruses to better understand the viral pathogenesis and host immune responses. Method: Here, a systems biology study was conducted on a SARS database. It was followed by a literature review on the cognate subject. Results: It was proved that interferons may possess a crucial role in the defense against coronavirus diseases. The literature supported the validity of the employed approach and the notion that interferon induction could play a key role in the body defense against coronavirus infections. Conclusion: Altogether, administration of interferons or interferon-inducing agents in a prophylactic manner or at early stages of the disease, could mimic the effective antiviral responses against SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the disease severity. At later stages of the disease, however, the balance of the immune reactions would be disrupted and the responses would shift toward immunopathogenic over-reactions, which could be exacerbated by interferon usage. Moderating the activity of the immune system by anti-inflammatory agents, might be the optimum approach in such conditions.

Augmented antiviral T cell immunity by oral administration of IMM‐124E in preclinical models and a phase I/ IIa clinical trial: A method for the prevention and treatment of COVID ‐19

“…IFN induction plays a key role in the defense against coronavirus infections (Nezhad et al, 2020; Yoshikawa et al, 2010). We have assessed the effect of HBC oral administration on the generation of antiviral specific IFNγ producing clones in animal models, and against SARS‐CoV‐2 spike proteins in healthy humans.…”

Theta-Defensins to Counter COVID-19 as Furin Inhibitors: In Silico Efficiency Prediction and Novel Compound Design

“…At the early stages of the disease, it is best to reduce the number of viruses, while hyperinflammation should be controlled at more advanced stages [ 81 , 82 ]. Thus, limiting the inflammatory responses could be as essential as preventing virus replication [ 83 , 84 ] and have a life-saving role in COVID-19 patients [ 82 ]. It seems that TD can be helpful in both stages.…”

Computational Study on SARS-CoV-2 Viral Protein Interaction with Natural Compounds of Coriandrum sativum L

“…COX-1 is usually involved in the formation of the blood clot and maintain gastric acidity while COX-2 is typically induced pain during inflammation in specific tissues [20], [21]. In addition, increase levels of circulating cytokines such as interleukins (IL) have been identified as one of the major reasons for multiorgan failure associated with SARS-CoV-2 patients [22]. Among the ILs, IL-6 illustrates predominant proinflammatory activities in the respiratory system associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory failure in SARSS-CoV-2 patients [23].…”