Coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID ‐19), triggered by the betacoronavirus SARS ‐CoV‐2, has become one of the worst pandemics of our time that has already caused more than 250,000 deaths (JHU data‐05/06/2020, https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/ ). Effective therapeutic approaches are urgently needed to reduce the spread of the virus and its death toll. Here, we assess the possibility of using interferon‐lambda ( IFN λ), a third type of interferon sharing low homology with type I IFN s and IL ‐10, for treating COVID ‐19 patients. We discuss the unique role of IFN λ in fine‐tuning antiviral immunity in the respiratory tract to achieve optimal protection and minimal host damage and review early evidence that SARS ‐CoV‐2 may impair IFN λ induction, leading to a delayed type I IFN ‐dominated response that triggers hyperinflammation and severe disease. We also consider the potential windows of opportunity for therapeutic intervention with IFN λ and potential safety considerations. We conclude that IFN λ constitutes a promising therapeutic agent for reducing viral presence and hyperinflammation in a single shot to prevent the devastating consequences of COVID ‐19 such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS ). Can we treat COVID ‐19 with IFN λ? E. Andreakos and S. Tsiodras discuss how SARS ‐CoV‐2 may impair IFN λ induction, leading to a delayed type I IFN ‐dominated response that triggers hyperinflammation and severe disease.
【저자키워드】 immunology, viral infection, Cytokine storm, interferon, Microbiology, Virology & Host Pathogen Interaction, hyperinflammation, Respiratory system,