FIGURE 1: Possible protective mechanisms of autophagy against coronaviruses. Autophagy may counteract viral infection by executing and supporting different antiviral pathways in infected host cells as well as by promoting the function and survival of immune cells. Therefore, an increase in autophagic flux may be effective against coronaviruses (CoVs). Accordingly, CoVs may have developed strategies to limit cellular and organismal immunity by preventing autophagy.