ACE2 expression is related to the interferon response in airway epithelial cells but is that functional for SARS-CoV-2 entry?
In vitro interferon (IFN)α treatment of primary human upper airway basal cells has been shown to drive ACE2 expression, the receptor of SARS-CoV-2. The protease furin is also involved in mediating SARS‐CoV‐2 and other viral infections, although its association with early IFN response has not been evaluated yet.