Hence, in the context of a respiratory viral infection, including COVID-19, MSCs might present two distinct antiviral mechanisms: constitutively elevated levels of MSC-specific ISGs to function as mediators of an antiviral protection, and a secondary response to IFN, leading to ISG induction and broad viral resistance. Conversely, MSCs could present a mix of intrinsic and inducible innate antiviral defences that could lead to therapeutic benefits in COVID-19 patients.