ABSTRACT
Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that possess antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory actions. IFN-α and IFN-ß are two major family members of type-I IFNs and are used to treat diseases, including hepatitis and multiple sclerosis. Emerging evidence suggests that type-I IFN receptors (IFNARs) are also expressed by microglia, astrocytes, and neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Apart from canonical transcriptional regulations, IFN-α and IFN-ß can rapidly suppress neuronal activity and synaptic transmission via non-genomic regulation, leading to potent analgesia. IFN-γ is the only member of the type-II IFN family and induces central sensitization and microglia activation in persistent pain. We discuss how type-I and type-II IFNs regulate pain and infection via neuro-immune modulations, with special focus on neuroinflammation and neuro-glial interactions. We also highlight distinct roles of type-I IFNs in the peripheral and central nervous system. Insights into IFN signaling in nociceptors and their distinct actions in physiological vs. pathological and acute vs. chronic conditions will improve our treatments of pain after surgeries, traumas, and infections.
Subject(s)
Acute Pain/immunology , Chronic Pain/immunology , Interferon Type I/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/immunology , Acute Pain/pathology , Animals , Chronic Pain/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Neuroglia/cytology , Neuroglia/immunology , Neuroglia/pathology , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/pathology , Nociceptors/immunology , Nociceptors/metabolism , Receptors, Interferon/metabolism , Signal Transduction/immunology , Spinal Cord/cytology , Spinal Cord/immunology , Spinal Cord/pathologyABSTRACT
The early shortage of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests in the United States led many hospitals to first screen for common respiratory pathogens, and only if this screen was negative to proceed with COVID-19 testing. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) coinfection with group A Streptococcus. The initial testing strategy resulted in delays in both diagnosis and implementation of appropriate precautions. Underlined is the importance of testing for both SARS-CoV-2 and other common respiratory pathogens during the current pandemic.