Molecular Medicine (Nov 2020)

SARS-CoV-2 and interferon blockade

  • Betty Diamond,
  • Bruce T. Volpe,
  • Sonya VanPatten,
  • Yousef Al Abed

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10020-020-00231-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract The response to viral infection generally includes an activation of the adaptive immune response to produce cytotoxic T cells and neutralizing antibodies. We propose that SARS-CoV-2 activates the innate immune system through the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-bradykinin pathways, blocks interferon production and reduces an effective adaptive immune response. This model has therapeutic implications.