Interferon system for COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 and infects the respiratory tract, blood cells, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, heart, brain and other organs. The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to escape from immune surveillance leads to deregulation of the immune response, cytokine storm and extensive tissue damage to infected organs. It is assumed that the pathogenesis of the deterioration of the course of COVID-19 is much more complicated and one of the mechanisms for the escape of SARS-Cov-2 from the influence of innate immunity is the inhibition of signaling pathways for the production and action of interferon (IFN). This review summarizes the role of the IFN system in SARS-CoV-2 infection and discusses the sophisticated mechanisms that coronaviruses have developed over the course of evolution to evade immune surveillance and suppress IFN responses. The IFN-related issues of counteraction to SARS-Cov-2 infection and the IFN-dependent adverse course of COVID-19 is also discussed.