Interferon system I e III protects patients with cystic fibrosis from SARS CoV2 infection

ABSTRACT
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a deficiency of expression of a chloride channel. Children with CF seem to be more protected than the general population from SARS-CoV2 infection. The interferon system (IFN) plays an important role in the susceptibility and resolution of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interferon system response in patients with CF compared to a control group. The expression levels of genes coding for IFN types I and III and of some interferon-induced genes in the respiratory mucosa of CF patients compared to a control group were analyzed.
16 patients affected by CF and 15 healthy controls, aged between 2 and 18 years were enrolled. The expression of genes coding for IFN types I and III and of some interferon-induced genes ISG15 and ISG56 was studied in nasal swab cells.
We found an increase expression of the following genes in cases compared to controls: IFN-β (p = 0.002), IFN-ε (p = 0.002) and ISG56 (p = 0.001).
This study suggests that in patients with CF the innate immune response is more active than in the healthy population and it may explain why these patients are less exposed to SARS-CoV2 infection.

IMPACT STATEMENT
CF patients’ innate immune response is more active than in the healthy population; it may explain why these patients are less exposed to SARS-CoV2 infection.

Received: June 4, 2023
Accepted: Sept 20, 2023
Published: Dec 1, 2023