By: Benjamin Bian
Due to high overreactions from the immune system during combat with COVID-19, the body usually harms itself in its crazed defense against COVID-19.
Drugs known as interferons may play a role in suppressing immune overreactions. Scientists are attempting to calm down immune responses through these chemicals. Interferons are proteins that are activated when a virus enters the body, and inhibit the virus’s ability to replicate and alert cells of the attack.
During severe attacks of COVID-19, the body sometimes overreacts and begins destroying healthy tissue. Scientists believe that buffing up the body’s first line of defense can prevent damage to healthy cells through hyperactive immune cells.
In a study of 113 patients at Yale New Haven Hospital from May 18 to May 27, researchers monitored patients in two groups, people with severe cases of COVID-19 and people with moderate cases of COVID-19. To serve as a basemark against the people with COVID-19, healthy health care workers were used.
Moderately ill patients had a surge of immune chemicals to combat the virus, but then chemical levels went back to normal. However, in severely ill patients, chemical levels remained high. In fact, cells dedicated to fighting off parasites joined in the fray. All of these reactions can end up damaging and destroying healthy tissue.
One of the many weapons used to fight off COVID-19 is Interferon Alpha. Interferon Alpha is normally part of the body’s first line of defense against pathogens. Interferon Alpha is usually produced during the opening stages of the battle, but then the levels gradually dissipate as the infection continues. But in severe invasions, the interferon doesn’t disappear as it should, and eventually ends up in the mixture of weapons and troops that only hurts the body.
When there is an invader, interferons are The interferons usually tell uninfected cells to be cautious, and then they swarm in to kill the viruses. This usually helps prevent any further infection.
However, when the body is under attack from COVID-19, the virus evades the interferons. Giving people doses of interferon as soon as the contract COVID-19, might help combat the virus. All in all, this exciting research might pave the way for the battle against COVID-19.