Type I and III interferons disrupt lung epithelial repair during recovery from viral infection

Interferons interfere with lung repair Interferons (IFNs) are central to antiviral immunity. Viral recognition elicits IFN production, which in turn triggers the transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), which engage in various antiviral functions. Type I IFNs (IFN-α and IFN-β) are widely expressed and can result in immunopathology during viral infections. By contrast, type III IFN (IFN-λ) responses are primarily restricted to mucosal surfaces and are thought to confer antiviral protection without driving damaging proinflammatory responses. Accordingly, IFN-λ has been proposed as a therapeutic in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other such viral respiratory diseases (see the Perspective by…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Award: FC001206
• FC
  Francis Crick Institute

  Award: FC001206
• CR
  Cancer Research UK

  Award: FC001206
• NN
  Novo Nordisk
• NN
  Novo Nordisk Fonden
• NN
  Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research

  Award: NNF190C0058287
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Award: FC001206