Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by type I and type III interferons.

ABSTRACT: The recently emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the devastating COVID-19 lung disease pandemic. Here, we tested the inhibitory activities of the antiviral interferons of type I (IFN-α) and type III (IFN-λ) against SARS-CoV-2 and compared them with those against SARS-CoV-1, which emerged in 2003. Using two mammalian epithelial cell lines (human Calu-3 and simian Vero E6), we found that both IFNs dose-dependently inhibit SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, SARS-CoV-1 was restricted only by IFN-α in these cell lines. SARS-CoV-2 generally exhibited a broader IFN sensitivity than SARS-CoV-1. Moreover, ruxolitinib, an inhibitor of IFN-triggered Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling, boosted SARS-CoV-2 replication

SUBMITTER: Felgenhauer U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7549028 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature