Interferons are innate and adaptive
cytokines involved in many
biological responses, in particular,
viral infections. With the final response the result of the balance of the different types of
Interferons.
Cytokine storms are physiological reactions observed in
humans and
animals in which the innate
immune system causes an uncontrolled and excessive release of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules. The excessive and prolonged presence of these
cytokines can cause
tissue damage, multisystem organ failure and
death. The
role of
Interferons in
virus clearance,
tissue damage and
cytokine storms are discussed, in view of COVID-19 caused by
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (
SARS-CoV-2). The imbalance of Type I, Type II and
Type III Interferons during a
viral infection contribute to the clinical outcome, possibly together with other
cytokines, in particular, TNFα, with clear implications for clinical interventions to restore their correct balance.