Global virus outbreaks: Interferons as 1st responders

Semin Immunol. 2019 Jun:43:101300. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.101300.

Abstract

Outbreaks of severe virus infections with the potential to cause global pandemics are increasing. In many instances these outbreaks have been newly emerging (SARS coronavirus), re-emerging (Ebola virus, Zika virus) or zoonotic (avian influenza H5N1) virus infections. In the absence of a targeted vaccine or a pathogen-specific antiviral, broad-spectrum antivirals would function to limit virus spread. Given the direct antiviral effects of type I interferons (IFNs) in inhibiting the replication of both DNA and RNA viruses at different stages of their replicative cycles, and the effects of type I IFNs on activating immune cell populations to clear virus infections, IFNs-α/β present as ideal candidate broad-spectrum antivirals.

Keywords: Antiviral; Immune response; Interferons-α/β.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Coronavirus / physiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Ebolavirus / physiology*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / physiology*
  • Interferons / metabolism*
  • Virus Diseases / immunology*
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferons