Published online Apr 7, 2023. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i13.1942
Peer-review started: November 29, 2022
First decision: December 19, 2022
Revised: December 25, 2022
Accepted: March 20, 2023
Article in press: March 20, 2023
Published online: April 7, 2023
Processing time: 128 Days and 20 Hours
The tremendous public health and economic impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a huge challenge globally. There is increasing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 induces intestinal infections. Type III interferon (IFN-λ) has an antiviral role in intestinal infection, with focused, long-lasting, and non-inflammatory characteristics. This review presents a summary of the structure of SARS-CoV-2, including its invasion and immune escape mechanisms. Emphasis was placed on the gastrointestinal impact of SARS-CoV-2, including changes to the intestinal microbiome, activation of immune cells, and inflammatory responses. We also describe the comprehensive functions of IFN-λ in anti-enteric SARS-CoV-2 infection, and discuss the potential application of IFN-λ as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19 with intestinal symptoms.
Core Tip: The tremendous public health and economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a huge challenge for countries across the whole world. Increased evidences have revealed that SARS-CoV-2 also induced intestinal infection. Type III interferon (IFN), also called IFN-λ, plays an antiviral role in intestinal infection, and has focused, long-lasting, as well as non-inflammatory characteristics. In this review, we summarized the invasion and immune escape mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we concerned about the gastrointestinal impact of the SARS-CoV-2 and the comprehensive role of IFN-λ, also called type III IFN, in anti-enteric SARS-CoV-2 infection.