Abstract Although significant research has been done to find effective drugs against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), no definite effective drug exists. Thus, research has now shifted towards immunomodulatory agents other than antivirals. In this review, we aim to describe the latest findings on the role of type I interferon (IFN)‐mediated innate antiviral response against SARS‐CoV‐2 and discuss the use of IFNs as a medication for COVID‐19. A growing body of evidence has indicated a promoting active but delayed IFNs response to SARS‐CoV‐2 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in infected bronchial epithelial cells. Studies have demonstrated that IFNs’ administration before the viral peak and the inflammatory phase of disease could offer a highly protective effect. However, IFNs’ treatment during the inflammatory and severe stages of the disease causes immunopathology and long‐lasting harm for patients. Therefore, it is critical to note the best time window for IFNs’ administration. Further investigation of the clinical effectiveness of interferon for patients with mild to severe COVID‐19 and its optimal timing and route of administration can be beneficial in finding a safe and effective antiviral therapy for the COVID‐19 disease. Highlights 1‐IFNs have many antiviral actions including; the activation of cytotoxic T‐cell responses, the inhibition of the viral mRNA translation, the degradation of the viral RNA, RNA editing and modulating the synthesis of Nitric Oxide. 2‐IFNS are two‐edged immunomodulatory agents; as they can provide a protective effect if administered in the early phases of the disease before the viral peak, whereas a harming effect is observed when administered in the inflammatory phase. 3‐More human trials are needed to find the best time window for administrating type I IFN for patients with various COVID‐19 modalities.
【저자키워드】 COVID‐19, SARS‐CoV‐2, Interferon type I, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, coronavirus disease, antiviral therapy, coronavirus, Trial, antivirals, interferon, immunopathology, type I interferon, COVID‐19, RNA, SARS‐CoV‐2, immunomodulatory, Research, Patient, inflammatory phase, Mild, IFN, clinical effectiveness, Viral RNA, Degradation, medication, disease, Critical, patients, protective effect, mRNA translation, Evidence, antiviral response, administration, Inflammatory, Immunomodulatory agent, Safe, Middle East, Type I IFN, acute respiratory syndrome, Activation, early phase, Stage, bronchial epithelial cells, respiratory syndrome coronavirus, T‐cell responses, antiviral action, offer, Oxide, Administered, effective, caused, indicated, the disease, demonstrated, cause, effective drug, modulating, 【제목키워드】 Treatment, type I interferon, COVID‐19,