Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
10:00
High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
13.6K
Revisiting Pleiotropic Effects of Type I Interferons: Rationale for Its Prophylactic and Therapeutic Use Against
Diana Garcia-Del-Barco1, Daniela Risco-Acevedo1, Jorge Berlanga-Acosta2
1Neuroprotection Project, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Division, Havana, Cuba.
Frontiers in Immunology
|April 12, 2021
Summary
Recombinant interferons, used to treat viral diseases and cancer, show promise for combating SARS-CoV-2 by boosting innate immunity. Early use in COVID-19 highlights their therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- SARS-CoV-2 impairs innate immunity by inhibiting interferon responses.
- Recombinant interferons have a history of efficacy in viral diseases and cancer.
- Interferons possess a broader pharmacological scope beyond antiviral activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review interferons, their induction, signaling pathways, and role in viral infections.
- To examine how SARS-CoV-2 interferes with interferon-mediated signaling.
- To discuss the therapeutic rationale for interferon use in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of interferon function and SARS-CoV-2 interactions.
- Analysis of interferon response genes, including ACE2.
- Exploration of the relationship between interferons, neutrophils, NETosis, and IL-17.
Main Results:
- Interferons are crucial for antiviral defense but are targeted by SARS-CoV-2.
- ACE2, an interferon-stimulated gene, plays a role in SARS-CoV-2 entry.
- Interferon signaling involves complex interactions with immune cells and cytokines.
Conclusions:
- Timely interferon treatment is a rational approach for COVID-19 management.
- Understanding interferon's multifaceted roles is key to developing effective therapies.
- Interferons offer a promising strategy to counteract SARS-CoV-2-induced immune evasion.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
1.2K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.2K
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
17.2K
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
17.2K
01:23RNA Interference
27.0K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
27.0K
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
17.5K
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
17.5K
02:15Experimental RNAi
6.7K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.7K