Innate immune responses to DNA viruses

AbstractWe conducted a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the immune responses to primary smallpox vaccination in a combined cohort of > 1,600 subjects. We identified a cluster of SNPs on chromosome 5 (5q31.2) that were significantly associated (p-value: 1.3 × 10−12 – 1.5×10−36) with IFNα response to in vitro poxvirus stimulation. Examination of these SNPs led to the functional testing of rs1131769, a non-synonymous SNP in TMEM173 causing an Arg-to-His change at position 232 in the STING protein—a major regulator of innate immune responses to viral infections. Our findings demonstrate important functional differences between the two alleles, where the major allele (R232) more effectively induces IFNα secretion. Molecular modeling of both alleles identified altered ligand binding characteristics between the two variants, providing a potential mechanism underlying differences in inter-individual responses to poxvirus vaccination. Our data demonstrate that possession of the H232 variant impairs STING-mediated innate immunity to poxviruses. These results clarify prior studies evaluating functional effects of genetic variants in TMEM173 and provide novel data regarding genetic control of poxvirus immunity.Contribution to the FieldHere we report that a single nucleotide non-synonymous polymorphism in the TMEM173 gene encodes for a STING variant conferring a reduced IFN stimulated response compared to wild type. Our results suggest that, upon binding of the STING H232 variant to its ligand, activation of downstream signaling proteins is impaired, resulting in decreased production of IFNα and a weaker interferon-stimulated gene response. Molecular modeling indicates that the diminished functional activity of this variant is likely due to an altered physical structure of the STING protein. STING controls the innate, type I IFN response to double-stranded DNA and cyclic dinucleotides. Individuals with the H232 variant of STING have a much weaker innate immune response to vaccinia virus. Our data help resolve ongoing controversies regarding the role of genetic variants in STING function. Because STING plays an important role in our immune response to DNA viruses and bacteria, our results can be used to predict who will and will not respond to vaccines and treatments, and to design more effective vaccine candidates. Given the role of the STING protein in innate responses to DNA viruses and bacterial pathogens, these data may also be useful in developing novel treatment options for multiple infectious diseases.

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Viral Evasion of RIG-I-Like Receptor-Mediated Immunity through Dysregulation of Ubiquitination and ISGylation

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020182 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 182

Author(s):

Cindy Chiang ◽

Guanqun Liu ◽

Michaela U. Gack

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Type I ◽

Innate Immune Responses ◽

Deubiquitinating Enzymes ◽

Viral Pathogens ◽

Dna Viruses ◽

E3 Ligases ◽

Antiviral Responses

Viral dysregulation or suppression of innate immune responses is a key determinant of virus-induced pathogenesis. Important sensors for the detection of virus infection are the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), which, in turn, are antagonized by many RNA viruses and DNA viruses. Among the different escape strategies are viral mechanisms to dysregulate the post-translational modifications (PTMs) that play pivotal roles in RLR regulation. In this review, we present the current knowledge of immune evasion by viral pathogens that manipulate ubiquitin- or ISG15-dependent mechanisms of RLR activation. Key viral strategies to evade RLR signaling include direct targeting of ubiquitin E3 ligases, active deubiquitination using viral deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), and the upregulation of cellular DUBs that regulate RLR signaling. Additionally, we summarize emerging new evidence that shows that enzymes of certain coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, actively deISGylate key molecules in the RLR pathway to escape type I interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral responses. Finally, we discuss the possibility of targeting virally-encoded proteins that manipulate ubiquitin- or ISG15-mediated innate immune responses for the development of new antivirals and vaccines.

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Oral Immune Activation by Disgust and Disease-Related Pictures

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803/a000143 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 119-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Richard J. Stevenson ◽

Deborah Hodgson ◽

Megan J. Oaten ◽

Luba Sominsky ◽

Mehmet Mahmut ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Innate Immune Response ◽

Negative Control ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Innate Immune Responses ◽

Immune Markers ◽

Before And After ◽

Secondary Analyses ◽

Image Set

Abstract. Both disgust and disease-related images appear able to induce an innate immune response but it is unclear whether these effects are independent or rely upon a common shared factor (e.g., disgust or disease-related cognitions). In this study we directly compared these two inductions using specifically generated sets of images. One set was disease-related but evoked little disgust, while the other set was disgust evoking but with less disease-relatedness. These two image sets were then compared to a third set, a negative control condition. Using a wholly within-subject design, participants viewed one image set per week, and provided saliva samples, before and after each viewing occasion, which were later analyzed for innate immune markers. We found that both the disease related and disgust images, relative to the negative control images, were not able to generate an innate immune response. However, secondary analyses revealed innate immune responses in participants with greater propensity to feel disgust following exposure to disease-related and disgusting images. These findings suggest that disgust images relatively free of disease-related themes, and disease-related images relatively free of disgust may be suboptimal cues for generating an innate immune response. Not only may this explain why disgust propensity mediates these effects, it may also imply a common pathway.

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