Nasopharyngeal Type-I Interferon for Immediately Available Prophylaxis Against Emerging Respiratory Viral Infections

Front Immunol. 2021 May 19:12:660298. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.660298. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

In addition to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, emerging viruses that cause respiratory viral infections will continue to arise. Increasing evidence suggests a delayed, possibly suppressed, type 1 interferon (IFN-I) response occurs early during COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections such as SARS and MERS. These observations prompt considering IFN-β as a prophylactic or early intervention for respiratory viral infections. A rationale for developing and testing intranasal interferon beta (IFN-β) as an immediately available intervention for new respiratory viral infections that will arise unexpectedly in the future is presented and supported by basic and clinical trial observations. IFN-β prophylaxis could limit the spread and consequences of an emerging respiratory viral infection in at-risk individuals while specific vaccines are being developed.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; emerging respiratory viral infection; nasopharyngeal; post-pandemic; prophylaxis; type-I interferon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / administration & dosage*
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / prevention & control*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Virus Diseases / drug therapy
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Interferon Type I