Diseases and interferons: pathogenesis, prevention, treatment

The infection causes the body’s cells to change their processes. Almost all cells begin to produce substances that help to defeat the disease and recover quickly. Interferon (IFN) is one of these substances.

The same IFN molecule can trigger different processes in cells: antiviral, antitumor, or regulating the work of the immune system. Which process is initiated depends on the concentration of IFN molecules and the type of cell it affects.

All cells, except for nerve cells and red blood cells, can trigger antiviral processes when interferon-stimulated. However, the antitumor and immunomodulatory mechanisms of IFN can only be activated in certain types of cells.

Another vital feature of interferons is interferon preparations’ ability to stimulate the body’s production of interferon.

These features of interferons are used to treat and prevent a wide range of diseases.

Сontents

• Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI)
• Eye diseases
• Hepatitis B and C

Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI)

Acute respiratory diseases are caused by viruses that can infect the body’s epithelial cells: cells of the respiratory tract, digestive tract, and mucous membranes. ARVI – the most common disease. Interferons have been used to prevent respiratory diseases for 60 years.

Treatment of ARVI with interferons became intensively studied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Large-scale clinical trials were conducted in 2020 in different countries: China, Great Britain, Iran, Russia, and Cuba.

COVID-19 and other coronavirus infections

Coronaviruses are the most unpredictable family of viruses that cause acute respiratory diseases. Infected animals infect humans with coronaviruses, and the virus begins to circulate in the human population. Some coronaviruses are low-risk and not very contagious. They are constantly present as seasonal colds.

Other coronaviruses are very dangerous but not very contagious. For example, the SARS-CoV or the virus that causes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).

At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, appeared among people. It is very dangerous because it has many mechanisms for suppressing the interferon system. It is also the most contagious among coronaviruses. It is this virus that causes the coronavirus disease COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic in 2020.

The role of interferons in the evolution of vertebrates

Prevention of COVID-19 COVID-19

Treatment of COVID-19

Clinical studies of coronavirus infections 2020-2021, state, international and expert recommendations

Influenza and other acute respiratory infections

Clinical studies of ARVI and influenza

Eye diseases

Clinical studies of eye diseases

Hepatitis B and C

Clinical studies of hepatitis B and C, expert opinions