scholarly journals A minimal RNA ligand for potent RIG-I activation in living mice

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa M. Linehan ◽  
Thayne H. Dickey ◽  
Emanuela S. Molinari ◽  
Megan E. Fitzgerald ◽  
Olga Potapova ◽  
...  

AbstractWe have developed highly potent synthetic activators of the vertebrate immune system that specifically target the RIG-I receptor. When introduced into mice, a family of short, triphosphorylated Stem Loop RNAs (SLRs) induces a potent interferon response and the activation of specific genes essential for antiviral defense. Using RNAseq, we provide the first in-vivo genome-wide view of the expression networks that are initiated upon RIG-I activation. We observe that SLRs specifically induce type I interferons, subsets of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), and cellular remodeling factors. By contrast, poly(I:C), which binds and activates multiple RNA sensors, induces type III interferons and several unique ISGs. The short length (10-14 base pairs) and robust function of SLRs in mice demonstrate that RIG-I forms active signaling complexes without oligomerizing on RNA. These findings demonstrate that SLRs are potent therapeutic and investigative tools for targeted modulation of the innate immune system.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Todd ◽  
Maxwell P. Bui-Marinos ◽  
Barbara A. Katzenback

Epigenetic regulators such as microRNAs are emerging as conserved regulators of innate antiviral immunity in vertebrates, yet their roles in amphibian antiviral responses remain uncharacterized. We profiled changes in microRNA expressions in the Xenopus laevis skin epithelial–like cell line Xela DS2 in response to poly(I:C) – an analogue of double-stranded viral RNA and inducer of type I interferons – or frog virus 3 (FV3), an immunoevasive virus associated with amphibian mortality events. We sequenced small RNA libraries generated from untreated, poly(I:C)–treated, and FV3–infected cells. We detected 136 known X. laevis microRNAs and discovered 133 novel X. laevis microRNAs. Sixty–five microRNAs were differentially expressed in response to poly(I:C), many of which were predicted to target regulators of antiviral pathways such as cGAS–STING, RIG–I/MDA–5, TLR signaling, and type I interferon signaling, as well as products of these pathways (NF–κB–induced and interferon-stimulated genes). In contrast, only 49 microRNAs were altered by FV3 infection, fewer of which were predicted to interact with antiviral pathways. Interestingly, poly(I:C) treatment or FV3 infection downregulated transcripts encoding factors of the host microRNA biogenesis pathway. Our study is the first to suggest that host microRNAs regulate innate antiviral immunity in frogs, and sheds light on microRNA–mediated mechanisms of immunoevasion by FV3.


2011 ◽  
Vol 434 (1) ◽  
pp. e1-e2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke A. J. O'Neill

The human IKK [IκB (inhibitor of NF-κB) kinase] family has four members; they are the central kinases of innate immunity. Two members, IKKα and IKKβ, the so-called canonical members, phosphoryate IκBα, leading to activation of the transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor κB), which controls the expression of many immune and inflammatory genes. The IKK-related proteins TBK-1 (TANK-binding kinase 1) and IKKϵ have a different substrate – IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3) – which regulates a different set of genes, the products of which include Type I interferons. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) such as the lipopolysaccharide receptor TLR4 or the poly(I:C) receptor TLR3 activate each of the IKKs, but the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 (interleukin 1), which signals in a broadly similar way to the TLRs, has so far been shown to activate only the canonical IKKs. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Clark et al. bring new insights into the regulation of IKKs. They demonstrate that IL-1 is in fact able to activate IKKϵ/TBK-1, which occurs via IKKα/IKKβ. The consequence of this is not IRF3 activation, but a negative feedback effect on IKKα/IKKβ. This provides us with yet another regulatory feedback loop in a system already replete with control mechanisms. It attests yet again to the importance of keeping these innate immune pathways in check, since if they proceed uncontrolled, inflammatory diseases can occur. Importantly, this study utilized new and specific inhibitors of these kinases, suggesting that the interpretation of any effects the compound might have in vivo may be complex, since for example the inhibition of IKKϵ/TBK-1 might actually have a pro-inflammatory effect.


FACETS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2058-2083
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Todd ◽  
Maxwell P. Bui-Marinos ◽  
Barbara A. Katzenback

Post-transcriptional regulators such as microRNAs are emerging as conserved regulators of innate antiviral immunity in vertebrates, yet their roles in amphibian antiviral responses remain uncharacterized. We profiled changes in microRNA expressions in the Xenopus laevis skin epithelial-like cell line Xela DS2 in response to poly(I:C)—an analogue of viral double-stranded RNA and inducer of type I interferons—or frog virus 3 (FV3), an immunoevasive virus associated with amphibian mortality events. Small RNA libraries generated from untreated, poly(I:C)-treated, and FV3-infected cells were sequenced. We detected 136 known X. laevis microRNAs and discovered 133 novel X. laevis microRNAs. Sixty-five microRNAs were differentially expressed in response to poly(I:C), many of which were predicted to target regulators of antiviral pathways such as cGAS-STING, RIG-I/MDA-5, TLR signaling, and type I interferon signaling, as well as products of these pathways (NF-ĸB-induced and interferon-stimulated genes). In contrast, only 49 microRNAs were altered by FV3 infection, fewer of which were predicted to interact with antiviral pathways. Interestingly, poly(I:C) treatment or FV3 infection downregulated transcripts encoding factors of the host microRNA biogenesis pathway. Our study is the first to suggest that host microRNAs regulate innate antiviral immunity in frogs and sheds light on microRNA-mediated mechanisms of immunoevasion by FV3.


2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (16) ◽  
pp. 8656-8665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulvia Terenzi ◽  
Christine White ◽  
Srabani Pal ◽  
Bryan R. G. Williams ◽  
Ganes C. Sen

ABSTRACT The interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) ISG56 and ISG54 are strongly induced in cultured cells by type I interferons (IFNs), viruses, and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which activate their transcription by various signaling pathways. Here we studied the stimulus-dependent induction of both genes in vivo. dsRNA, which is generated during virus infection, induced the expression of both genes in all organs examined. Induction was not seen in STAT1-deficient mice, indicating that dsRNA-induced gene expression requires endogenous IFN. We further examined the regulation of these ISGs in several organs from mice injected with dsRNA or IFN-β. Both ISG56 and ISG54 were widely expressed and at comparable levels. However, in organs isolated from mice injected with IFN-α the expression of ISG54 was reduced and more restricted in distribution compared with the expression level and distribution of ISG56. When we began to study specific cell types, splenic B cells showed ISG54 but not ISG56 expression in response to all agonists. Finally, in livers isolated from mice infected with vesicular stomatitis virus, the expression of ISG56, but not ISG54, was induced; this difference was observed at both protein and mRNA levels. These studies have revealed unexpected complexity in IFN-stimulated gene induction in vivo. For the first time we showed that the two closely related genes are expressed in a tissue-specific and inducer-specific manner. Furthermore, our findings provide the first evidence of a differential pattern of expression of ISG54 and ISG56 genes by IFN-α and IFN-β.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Wang ◽  
Alayna K. Caffrey-Carr ◽  
Ko-wei Liu ◽  
Vanessa Espinosa ◽  
Walburga Croteau ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTRIG-I like receptors (RLR) are cytosolic RNA sensors that signal through the MAVS adaptor to activate interferon responses against viruses. Whether the RLR family has broader effects on host immunity against other pathogen families remains to be fully explored. Herein we demonstrate that MDA5/MAVS signaling was essential for host resistance against pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus challenge through the regulation of antifungal leukocyte responses in mice. Activation of MDA5/MAVS signaling was driven by dsRNA from live A. fumigatus serving as a key vitality-sensing pattern-recognition receptor. Interestingly, induction of type I interferons after A. fumigatus challenge was only partially dependent on MDA5/MAVS signaling, whereas type III interferon expression was entirely dependent on MDA5/MAVS signaling. Ultimately, type I and III interferon signaling drove the expression of CXCL10. Furthermore, the MDA5/MAVS-dependent interferon response was critical for the induction of optimal antifungal neutrophil killing of A. fumigatus spores. In conclusion, our data broaden the role of the RLR family to include a role in regulating antifungal immunity against A. fumigatus.KEY POINTSMDA5 is essential for maintaining host resistance against Aspergillus fumigatusMDA5 serves as a critical vitality sensor after fungal challengeMDA5 is essential for IFNλ expression and anti-fungal neutrophil killing


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Howe ◽  
Jens Bauer ◽  
Anja Schulze ◽  
Sonja Kropp ◽  
Richard M. Locksley ◽  
...  

Viral infections are associated with increased incidence of severe sepsis. Particularly during the early stages, type I interferons (IFNs) are known mediators of detrimental effects. However, the functional role of early interferon β (IFNβ) and its cellular source during sepsis in the context of preexisting viral infections has not been defined. Using the colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) model, we demonstrate that IFNβ−/− and type I IFN receptor (IFNAR1)−/− mice were less susceptible to sepsis after pre-stimulation with the viral mimetic poly(I:C). Wild type (WT) mice treated with poly(I:C) exhibited altered expression patterns of TNF and IL-12p40 during CASP which were dependent on IFNβ or IFNAR1, suggesting a mechanism for the increased sepsis susceptibility of WT mice. Using a double cytokine reporter mouse model, we present novel data on the simultaneous expression of IFNβ and IL-12p40 on a single cell level during polymicrobial sepsis in vivo. Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) were identified as primary source of IFNβ and the protective cytokine IL-12p40 after CASP surgery irrespective of poly(I:C) pre-stimulation. These data demonstrated that if polymicrobial sepsis is preceded by a viral infection, IFNβ and IL-12p40 are expressed by polyfunctional cDCs suggesting that these cells can play both detrimental and beneficial roles during sepsis development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wu ◽  
Caoqi Lei ◽  
Tian Xia ◽  
Xuan Zhong ◽  
Qing Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF) is an essential adaptor protein required for innate immune responses mediated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3- and TLR4. Here we identify USP19 as a negative regulator of TLR3/4-mediated signaling. USP19 deficiency increases the production of type I interferons (IFN) and proinflammatory cytokines induced by poly(I:C) or LPS in vitro and in vivo. Usp19-/- mice have more serious inflammation after poly(I:C) or LPS treatment, and are more susceptible to inflammatory damages and death following Salmonella typhimurium infection. Mechanistically, USP19 interacts with TRIF and catalyzes the removal of TRIF K27-linked polyubiquitin moieties, thereby impairing the recruitment of TRIF to TLR3/4. In addition, the RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complex Cullin-3-Rbx1-KCTD10 catalyzes K27-linked polyubiquitination of TRIF at K523, and deficiency of this complex inhibits TLR3/4-mediated innate immune signaling. Our findings thus reveal TRIF K27-linked polyubiquitination and deubiquitination as a critical regulatory mechanism of TLR3/4-mediated innate immune responses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Shan Ran ◽  
Jie Jin ◽  
Xian-Xian Zhang ◽  
Ye Wang ◽  
Peng Ren ◽  
...  

Innate immunity is an essential line of defense against pathogen invasion which is gained at birth, and the mechanism involved is mainly to identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns through pattern recognition receptors. STING (stimulator of interferon genes) is a signal junction molecule that hosts the perception of viral nucleic acids and produces type I interferon response, which plays a crucial role in innate immunity. However, relatively few studies have investigated the molecular characterization, tissue distribution, and potential function of STING in chickens. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of chicken STING that is composed of 1341 bp. Sequence analyses revealed that STING contains a 1140-bp open-reading frame that probably encodes a 379-amino acid protein. Multiple sequence alignments showed that the similarity of the chicken STING gene to other birds is higher than that of mammals. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays revealed that STING is highly expressed in the spleen, thymus and bursa of fabricious in chickens. Furthermore, we observed that STING expression was significantly upregulated both in vitro and in vivo following infection with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). STING expression was also significantly upregulated in chicken embryo fibroblasts upon stimulation with poly(I:C) or poly(dA:dT). Taken together, these findings suggest that STING plays an important role in antiviral signaling pathways in chickens.


2010 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 688-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Demian Sauer ◽  
Katia Sotelo-Troha ◽  
Jakob von Moltke ◽  
Kathryn M. Monroe ◽  
Chris S. Rae ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTType I interferons (IFNs) are central regulators of the innate and adaptive immune responses to viral and bacterial infections. Type I IFNs are induced upon cytosolic detection of microbial nucleic acids, including DNA, RNA, and the bacterial second messenger cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP). In addition, a recent study demonstrated that the intracellular bacterial pathogenListeria monocytogenesstimulates a type I IFN response due to cytosolic detection of bacterially secreted c-di-AMP. The transmembrane signaling adaptor Sting (Tmem173, Mita, Mpys, Eris) has recently been implicated in the induction of type I IFNs in response to cytosolic DNA and/or RNA. However, the role of Sting in response to purified cyclic dinucleotides or duringin vivo L. monocytogenesinfection has not been addressed. In order to identify genes important in the innate immune response, we have been conducting a forward genetic mutagenesis screen in C57BL/6 mice using the mutagenN-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Here we describe a novel mutant mouse strain,Goldenticket(Gt), that fails to produce type I IFNs uponL. monocytogenesinfection. By genetic mapping and complementation experiments, we found thatGtmice harbor a single nucleotide variant (T596A) ofStingthat functions as a null allele and fails to produce detectable protein. Analysis of macrophages isolated fromGtmice revealed thatStingis absolutely required for the type I interferon response to both c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP. Additionally,Stingis required for the response to c-di-GMP andL. monocytogenes in vivo. Our results provide new functions forStingin the innate interferon response to pathogens.


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