Inhibits IFN-I signaling. Suppresses STAT2 phosphorylation (146).Ubiquitination of ORF7a is required to block STAT2 phosphorylation (150).Binds to immune cells. Co-incubation with monocytes upregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. This interaction with CD14+ monocytes impair its antigen presenting ability. It is suggested to recruit monocytes to infected lungs, favoring immunopathology of COVID-19 (151).Interferes with autophagosome acidification (134). This evidence concerns the gene STAT2 and COVID-19.