Intranasal type I interferon treatment is beneficial only when administered before clinical signs onset in the SARS-CoV-2 hamster model

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Aug 9;17(8):e1009427. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009427. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Impaired type I interferons (IFNs) production or signaling have been associated with severe COVID-19, further promoting the evaluation of recombinant type I IFNs as therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the Syrian hamster model, we show that intranasal administration of IFN-α starting one day pre-infection or one day post-infection limited weight loss and decreased viral lung titers. By contrast, intranasal administration of IFN-α starting at the onset of symptoms three days post-infection had no impact on the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results provide evidence that early type I IFN treatment is beneficial, while late interventions are ineffective, although not associated with signs of enhanced disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cricetinae
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Interferon Type I / administration & dosage*
  • Mesocricetus
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon Type I

Grants and funding

This work was funded by a grant from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-20-COV5-0004) to RV. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.