Interferon

About: Interferon is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 28969 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1219645 citations. The topic is also known as: IFN & interferons.

Functional assay of type I interferon in systemic lupus erythematosus plasma and association with anti–RNA binding protein autoantibodies

Abstract: Objective Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased expression of genes typically induced by type I interferon (IFN). However, it has been difficult to identify and quantify the factors responsible for activation of the IFN pathway in SLE. To characterize these mediators, we developed an assay that measures the functional effects of plasma or serum components on the gene expression of cultured target cells. Methods WISH epithelial cell line cells were cultured with medium, with recombinant IFNα, IFNβ, or IFNγ, or with 50% plasma from SLE patients (n = 73), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (n = 19), or healthy donors (n = 30). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine WISH cell expression of IFN target genes, including PRKR, IFIT1, IFI44, MX1, and C1orf29 (preferentially induced by IFNα) and CXCL9 (Mig) (preferentially induced by IFNγ). Results IFNα-regulated genes were induced by SLE plasma samples, but not by most of the RA or healthy control plasma samples. The activity in SLE plasma was inhibited >90% by anti-IFNα antibody, but not by anti-IFNβ or anti-IFNγ antibodies. The expression of each IFNα target gene induced by SLE plasma correlated with the expression of that gene studied ex vivo in PBMCs from the same patients and with the titer of anti–RNA binding protein (anti-RBP)–specific autoantibodies. Plasma activity paralleled PBMC expression of IFNα-inducible genes over time. Conclusion IFNα in SLE plasma is a major stimulus of IFN target gene expression and is related to expression of those genes in PBMCs from SLE patients and to the titer of anti-RBP autoantibodies. These data provide additional support for the view that IFNα mediates immune system activation and dysregulation in SLE.

Co-ordinated Role of TLR3, RIG-I and MDA5 in the Innate Response to Rhinovirus in Bronchial Epithelium

Abstract: The relative roles of the endosomal TLR3/7/8 versus the intracellular RNA helicases RIG-I and MDA5 in viral infection is much debated. We investigated the roles of each pattern recognition receptor in rhinovirus infection using primary bronchial epithelial cells. TLR3 was constitutively expressed; however, RIG-I and MDA5 were inducible by 8–12 h following rhinovirus infection. Bronchial epithelial tissue from normal volunteers challenged with rhinovirus in vivo exhibited low levels of RIG-I and MDA5 that were increased at day 4 post infection. Inhibition of TLR3, RIG-I and MDA5 by siRNA reduced innate cytokine mRNA, and increased rhinovirus replication. Inhibition of TLR3 and TRIF using siRNA reduced rhinovirus induced RNA helicases. Furthermore, IFNAR1 deficient mice exhibited RIG-I and MDA5 induction early during RV1B infection in an interferon independent manner. Hence anti-viral defense within bronchial epithelium requires co-ordinated recognition of rhinovirus infection, initially via TLR3/TRIF and later via inducible RNA helicases.

The interferon response inhibits HIV particle production by induction of TRIM22.

Abstract: Treatment of human cells with Type 1 interferons restricts HIV replication. Here we report that the tripartite motif protein TRIM22 is a key mediator. We used transcriptional profiling to identify cellular genes that were induced by interferon treatment and identified TRIM22 as one of the most strongly up-regulated genes. We confirmed, as in previous studies, that TRIM22 over-expression inhibited HIV replication. To assess the role of TRIM22 expressed under natural inducing conditions, we compared the effects of interferon in cells depleted for TRIM22 using RNAi and found that HIV particle release was significantly increased in the knockdown, implying that TRIM22 acts as a natural antiviral effector. Further studies showed that TRIM22 inhibited budding of virus-like particles containing Gag only, indicating that Gag was the target of TRIM22. TRIM22 did not block the release of MLV or EIAV Gag particles. Inhibition was associated with diffuse cytoplasmic staining of HIV Gag rather than accumulation at the plasma membrane, suggesting TRIM22 disrupts proper trafficking. Mutational analyses of TRIM22 showed that the catalytic amino acids Cys15 and Cys18 of the RING domain are required for TRIM22 antiviral activity. These data disclose a pathway by which Type 1 interferons obstruct HIV replication.

Type I IFN controls chikungunya virus via its action on nonhematopoietic cells

Abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the causative agent of an outbreak that began in La Reunion in 2005 and remains a major public health concern in India, Southeast Asia, and southern Europe. CHIKV is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and the associated disease is characterized by fever, myalgia, arthralgia, and rash. As viral load in infected patients declines before the appearance of neutralizing antibodies, we studied the role of type I interferon (IFN) in CHIKV pathogenesis. Based on human studies and mouse experimentation, we show that CHIKV does not directly stimulate type I IFN production in immune cells. Instead, infected nonhematopoietic cells sense viral RNA in a Cardif-dependent manner and participate in the control of infection through their production of type I IFNs. Although the Cardif signaling pathway contributes to the immune response, we also find evidence for a MyD88-dependent sensor that is critical for preventing viral dissemination. Moreover, we demonstrate that IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFNAR) expression is required in the periphery but not on immune cells, as IFNAR(-/-)-->WT bone marrow chimeras are capable of clearing the infection, whereas WT-->IFNAR(-/-) chimeras succumb. This study defines an essential role for type I IFN, produced via cooperation between multiple host sensors and acting directly on nonhematopoietic cells, in the control of CHIKV.