Publication

Interferon and cytokine responses to SARS-coronavirus infection

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 1, 2008

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Thiel V, Weber F. Interferon and cytokine responses to SARS-coronavirus infection. Cytokine & growth factor reviews 2008; 19:121-32.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Cytokine & growth factor reviews 2008; 19
Publication Date
Apr 1, 2008
Issn Print
1359-6101
Pages
121-32
Brief description/objective

The sudden emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has boosted research on innate immune responses to coronaviruses. It is now well established that the causative agent, a newly identified coronavirus termed SARS-CoV, employs multiple passive and active mechanisms to avoid induction of the antiviral type I interferons in tissue cells. By contrast, chemokines such as IP-10 or IL-8 are strongly upregulated. The imbalance in the IFN response is thought to contribute to the establishment of viremia early in infection, whereas the production of chemokines by infected organs may be responsible for (i) massive immune cell infiltrations found in the lungs of SARS victims, and (ii) the dysregulation of adaptive immunity. Here, we will review the most recent findings on the interaction of SARS-CoV and related Coronaviridae members with the type I interferon and cytokine responses and discuss implications for pathogenesis and therapy.