Auto-antibodies can neutralize type 1 interferons and compromise the immune response (IMAGE)

Chiba University

Auto-antibodies can neutralize type 1 interferons and compromise the immune response

Caption

 Auto-antibodies erroneously target their own proteins and enzymes. When these auto-antibodies target type 1 interferons, they can neutralize their function as signal proteins for the immune system. This study showed that some severe cases of COVID-19 were associated with the presence of auto-antibodies to type 1 interferons, shedding light on why some COVID-19 infections are severe without any other obvious risk factors.

Credit

Chiaki Iwamura from Chiba University

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