| First Author | Chong Z | Year | 2022 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 110799 |
| PubMed ID | 35523172 | Mgi Jnum | J:325089 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7283995 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110799 |
| Citation | Chong Z, et al. (2022) Nasally delivered interferon-lambda protects mice against infection by SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron. Cell Rep 39(6):110799 |
| abstractText | Although vaccines and monoclonal antibody countermeasures have reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, variants with constellations of mutations in the spike gene jeopardize their efficacy. Accordingly, antiviral interventions that are resistant to further virus evolution are needed. The host-derived cytokine interferon lambda (IFN-lambda) has been proposed as a possible treatment based on studies in human coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Here, we show that IFN-lambda protects against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants in three strains of conventional and human ACE2 transgenic mice. Prophylaxis or therapy with nasally delivered IFN-lambda2 limits infection of historical or variant SARS-CoV-2 strains in the upper and lower respiratory tracts without causing excessive inflammation. In the lung, IFN-lambda is produced preferentially in epithelial cells and acts on radio-resistant cells to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, inhaled IFN-lambda may have promise as a treatment for evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants that develop resistance to antibody-based countermeasures. |
