Interferon-Lambda Intranasal Protection and Differential Sex Pathology in a Murine Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Sook-Young Sohn, Janet Hearing, JoAnn Mugavero, Varvara Kirillov, Elena Gorbunova, Luke Helminiak, Smruti Mishra, Erich Mackow, Patrick Hearing, Nancy C. Reich, Hwan Keun Kim
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed millions of lives worldwide. In this report, we used a preclinical mouse model to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic value of intranasal IFN-λ for this acute respiratory disease. Specific vaccines have been responsible for curbing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in developed nations. However, vaccines require time to generate and keep pace with antigenic variants. There is a need for broad-spectrum prophylactic and therapeutic agents to combat new emerging viral pathogens. Our mouse model suggests IFN-λ has clinical utility, and it reflects the well-documented finding that male COVID-19 patients manifest more severe symptoms and mortality. Understanding this sex bias is critical for considering therapeutic approaches to COVID-19.