scholarly journals Disruption of Type III Interferon (IFN) Genes Ifnl2 and Ifnl3 Recapitulates Loss of the Type III IFN Receptor in the Mucosal Antiviral Response

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan T. Peterson ◽  
Elizabeth A. Kennedy ◽  
Pamela H. Brigleb ◽  
Gwen M. Taylor ◽  
Kelly Urbanek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Murine Norovirus ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Receptor Interactions ◽  
Type Iii Ifn ◽  
Type Iii Interferon

ABSTRACT Type III interferon (IFN), or IFN lambda (IFN-λ), is an essential component of the innate immune response to mucosal viral infections. In both the intestine and the lung, signaling via the IFN-λ receptor (IFNLR) controls clinically important viral pathogens, including influenza virus, norovirus, and rotavirus. While it is thought that IFN-λ cytokines are the exclusive ligands for signaling through IFNLR, it is not known whether genetic ablation of these cytokines phenotypically recapitulates disruption of the receptor. Here, we report the serendipitous establishment of Ifnl2−/− Ifnl3−/− mice, which lack all known functional murine IFN-λ cytokines. We demonstrate that, like Ifnlr1−/− mice lacking IFNLR signaling, these mice display defective control of murine norovirus, reovirus, and influenza virus and therefore genocopy Ifnlr1−/− mice. Thus, for regulation of viral infections at mucosal sites of both the intestine and lung, signaling via IFNLR can be fully explained by the activity of known cytokines IFN-λ2 and IFN-λ3. Our results confirm the current understanding of ligand-receptor interactions for type III IFN signaling and highlight the importance of this pathway in regulation of mucosal viral pathogens. IMPORTANCE Type III interferons are potent antiviral cytokines important for regulation of viruses that infect at mucosal surfaces. Studies using mice lacking the Ifnlr1 gene encoding the type III interferon receptor have demonstrated that signaling through this receptor is critical for protection against influenza virus, norovirus, and reovirus. Using a genetic approach to disrupt murine type III interferon cytokine genes Ifnl2 and Ifnl3, we found that mice lacking these cytokines fully recapitulate the impaired control of viruses observed in mice lacking Ifnlr1. Our results support the idea of an exclusive role for known type III interferon cytokines in signaling via IFNLR to mediate antiviral effects at mucosal surfaces. These findings emphasize the importance of type III interferons in regulation of a variety of viral pathogens and provide important genetic evidence to support our understanding of the ligand-receptor interactions in this pathway.

scholarly journals The Key Roles of Interferon Lambda in Human Molecular Defense against Respiratory Viral Infections

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 989
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Lozhkov ◽  
Sergey A. Klotchenko ◽  
Edward S. Ramsay ◽  
Herman D. Moshkoff ◽  
Dmitry A. Moshkoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Epithelial Tissue ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections ◽  
Type Iii Ifn

Interferons (IFN) are crucial for the innate immune response. Slightly more than two decades ago, a new type of IFN was discovered: the lambda IFN (type III IFN). Like other IFN, the type III IFN display antiviral activity against a wide variety of infections, they induce expression of antiviral, interferon-stimulated genes (MX1, OAS, IFITM1), and they have immuno-modulatory activities that shape adaptive immune responses. Unlike other IFN, the type III IFN signal through distinct receptors is limited to a few cell types, primarily mucosal epithelial cells. As a consequence of their greater and more durable production in nasal and respiratory tissues, they can determine the outcome of respiratory infections. This review is focused on the role of IFN-λ in the pathogenesis of respiratory viral infections, with influenza as a prime example. The influenza virus is a major public health problem, causing up to half a million lethal infections annually. Moreover, the virus has been the cause of four pandemics over the last century. Although IFN-λ are increasingly being tested in antiviral therapy, they can have a negative influence on epithelial tissue recovery and increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections. Therefore, IFN-λ expression deserves increased scrutiny as a key factor in the host immune response to infection.

scholarly journals Interferon Lambda: A New Sword in Cancer Immunotherapy

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Lasfar ◽  
Walid Abushahba ◽  
Murugabaskar Balan ◽  
Karine A. Cohen-Solal
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Group Type ◽  
Interferon Lambda ◽  
New Type ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Type Iii Ifn

The discovery of the interferon-lambda (IFN-λ) family has considerably contributed to our understanding of the role of interferon not only in viral infections but also in cancer. IFN-λproteins belong to the new type III IFN group. Type III IFN is structurally similar to type II IFN (IFN-γ) but functionally identical to type I IFN (IFN-α/β). However, in contrast to type I or type II IFNs, the response to type III IFN is highly cell-type specific. Only epithelial-like cells and to a lesser extent some immune cells respond to IFN-λ. This particular pattern of response is controlled by the differential expression of the IFN-λreceptor, which, in contrast to IFN-α, should result in limited side effects in patients. Recently, we and other groups have shown in several animal models a potent antitumor role of IFN-λthat will open a new challenging era for the current IFN therapy.

scholarly journals Lambda Interferon Restructures the Nasal Microbiome and Increases Susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus Superinfection

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Planet ◽  
Dane Parker ◽  
Taylor S. Cohen ◽  
Hannah Smith ◽  
Justinne D. Leon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Influenza Virus Infection ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Interferon Receptor ◽  
Airway Microbiome ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Type Iii Interferon

ABSTRACT Much of the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza virus respiratory infection is due to bacterial coinfection with pathogens that colonize the upper respiratory tract such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pneumoniae . A major component of the immune response to influenza virus is the production of type I and III interferons. Here we show that the immune response to infection with influenza virus causes an increase and restructuring of the upper respiratory microbiota in wild-type (WT) mice but not in Il28r −/− mutant mice lacking the receptor for type III interferon. Mice lacking the IL-28 receptor fail to induce STAT1 phosphorylation and expression of its regulator, SOCS1. Il28r −/− mutant mice have increased expression of interleukin-22 (IL-22), as well as Ngal and RegIIIγ, in the nasal cavity, the source of organisms that would be aspirated to cause pneumonia. Proteomic analysis reveals changes in several cytoskeletal proteins that contribute to barrier function in the nasal epithelium that may contribute to the effects of IL-28 signaling on the microbiota. The importance of the effects of IL-28 signaling in the pathogenesis of MRSA pneumonia after influenza virus infection was confirmed by showing that WT mice nasally colonized before or after influenza virus infection had significantly higher levels of infection in the upper airways, as well as significantly greater susceptibility to MRSA pneumonia than Il28r −/− mutant mice did. Our results suggest that activation of the type III interferon in response to influenza virus infection has a major effect in expanding the upper airway microbiome and increasing susceptibility to lower respiratory tract infection. IMPORTANCE S. aureus and influenza virus are important respiratory pathogens, and coinfection with these organisms is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The ability of influenza virus to increase susceptibility to S. aureus infection is less well understood. We show here that influenza virus leads to a change in the upper airway microbiome in a type III interferon-dependent manner. Mice lacking the type III interferon receptor have altered STAT1 and IL-22 signaling. In coinfection studies, mice without the type III interferon receptor had significantly less nasal S. aureus colonization and subsequent pneumonia than infected WT mice did. This work demonstrates that type III interferons induced by influenza virus contribute to nasal colonization and pneumonia due to S. aureus superinfection.

scholarly journals Combined action of type I and type III interferon restricts initial replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the lung but fails to inhibit systemic virus spread

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 2601-2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanel Mahlakõiv ◽  
Daniel Ritz ◽  
Markus Mordstein ◽  
Marta L. DeDiego ◽  
Luis Enjuanes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Type I ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Type Iii Ifn ◽  
Type Iii Interferon ◽  
Deficient Mice

STAT1-deficient mice are more susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) than type I interferon (IFN) receptor-deficient mice. We used mice lacking functional receptors for both type I and type III IFN (double knockout, dKO) to evaluate the possibility that type III IFN plays a decisive role in SARS-CoV protection. We found that viral peak titres in lungs of dKO and STAT1-deficient mice were similar, but significantly higher than in wild-type mice. The kinetics of viral clearance from the lung were also comparable in dKO and STAT1-deficient mice. Surprisingly, however, infected dKO mice remained healthy, whereas infected STAT1-deficient mice developed liver pathology and eventually succumbed to neurological disease. Our data suggest that the failure of STAT1-deficient mice to control initial SARS-CoV replication efficiently in the lung is due to impaired type I and type III IFN signalling, whereas the failure to control subsequent systemic viral spread is due to unrelated defects in STAT1-deficient mice.

scholarly journals Importance of Type I and III Interferons at Respiratory and Intestinal Barrier Surfaces

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. Stanifer ◽  
Cuncai Guo ◽  
Patricio Doldan ◽  
Steeve Boulant
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
The Body ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Interferon Stimulated Genes ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Microbial Infections ◽  
Type Iii Ifn

Interferons (IFNs) constitute the first line of defense against microbial infections particularly against viruses. They provide antiviral properties to cells by inducing the expression of hundreds of genes known as interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The two most important IFNs that can be produced by virtually all cells in the body during intrinsic innate immune response belong to two distinct families: the type I and type III IFNs. The type I IFN receptor is ubiquitously expressed whereas the type III IFN receptor’s expression is limited to epithelial cells and a subset of immune cells. While originally considered to be redundant, type III IFNs have now been shown to play a unique role in protecting mucosal surfaces against pathogen challenges. The mucosal specific functions of type III IFN do not solely rely on the restricted epithelial expression of its receptor but also on the distinct means by which type III IFN mediates its anti-pathogen functions compared to the type I IFN. In this review we first provide a general overview on IFNs and present the similarities and differences in the signal transduction pathways leading to the expression of either type I or type III IFNs. By highlighting the current state-of-knowledge of the two archetypical mucosal surfaces (e.g. the respiratory and intestinal epitheliums), we present the differences in the signaling cascades used by type I and type III IFNs to uniquely induce the expression of ISGs. We then discuss in detail the role of each IFN in controlling pathogen infections in intestinal and respiratory epithelial cells. Finally, we provide our perspective on novel concepts in the field of IFN (stochasticity, response heterogeneity, cellular polarization/differentiation and tissue microenvironment) that we believe have implications in driving the differences between type I and III IFNs and could explain the preferences for type III IFNs at mucosal surfaces.

scholarly journals Expression of Ifnlr1 on Intestinal Epithelial Cells Is Critical to the Antiviral Effects of Interferon Lambda against Norovirus and Reovirus

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan T. Baldridge ◽  
Sanghyun Lee ◽  
Judy J. Brown ◽  
Nicole McAllister ◽  
Kelly Urbanek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Murine Norovirus ◽  
Intestinal Tissue ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Fecal Shedding ◽  
Antiviral Effects

ABSTRACT Lambda interferon (IFN-λ) has potent antiviral effects against multiple enteric viral pathogens, including norovirus and rotavirus, in both preventing and curing infection. Because the intestine includes a diverse array of cell types, however, the cell(s) upon which IFN-λ acts to exert its antiviral effects is unclear. Here, we sought to identify IFN-λ-responsive cells by generation of mice with lineage-specific deletion of the receptor for IFN-λ, Ifnlr1. We found that expression of IFNLR1 on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in the small intestine and colon is required for enteric IFN-λ antiviral activity. IEC Ifnlr1 expression also determines the efficacy of IFN-λ in resolving persistent murine norovirus (MNoV) infection and regulates fecal shedding and viral titers in tissue. Thus, the expression of Ifnlr1 by IECs is necessary for the response to both endogenous and exogenous IFN-λ. We further demonstrate that IEC Ifnlr1 expression is required for the sterilizing innate immune effects of IFN-λ by extending these findings in Rag1-deficient mice. Finally, we assessed whether our findings pertained to multiple viral pathogens by infecting mice specifically lacking IEC Ifnlr1 expression with reovirus. These mice phenocopied Ifnlr1-null animals, exhibiting increased intestinal tissue titers and enhanced reovirus fecal shedding. Thus, IECs are the critical cell type responding to IFN-λ to control multiple enteric viruses. This is the first genetic evidence that supports an essential role for IECs in IFN-λ-mediated control of enteric viral infection, and these findings provide insight into the mechanism of IFN-λ-mediated antiviral activity. IMPORTANCE Human noroviruses (HNoVs) are the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Type III interferons (IFN-λ) control enteric viral infections in the gut and have been shown to cure mouse norovirus, a small-animal model for HNoVs. Using a genetic approach with conditional knockout mice, we identified IECs as the dominant IFN-λ-responsive cells in control of enteric virus infection in vivo. Upon murine norovirus or reovirus infection, Ifnlr1 depletion in IECs largely recapitulated the phenotype seen in Ifnlr1 −/− mice of higher intestinal tissue viral titers and increased viral shedding in the stool. Moreover, IFN-λ-mediated sterilizing immunity against murine norovirus requires the capacity of IECs to respond to IFN-λ. These findings clarify the mechanism of action of this cytokine and emphasize the therapeutic potential of IFN-λ for treating mucosal viral infections.

scholarly journals Type III Interferon-Mediated Signaling Is Critical for Controlling Live Attenuated Yellow Fever Virus Infection In Vivo

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Douam ◽  
Yentli E. Soto Albrecht ◽  
Gabriela Hrebikova ◽  
Evita Sadimin ◽  
Christian Davidson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Yellow Fever ◽  
Vaccine Strain ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Type Iii Ifn ◽  
Type Iii Interferon

ABSTRACT Yellow fever virus (YFV) is an arthropod-borne flavivirus, infecting ~200,000 people worldwide annually and causing about 30,000 deaths. The live attenuated vaccine strain, YFV-17D, has significantly contributed in controlling the global burden of yellow fever worldwide. However, the viral and host contributions to YFV-17D attenuation remain elusive. Type I interferon (IFN-α/β) signaling and type II interferon (IFN-γ) signaling have been shown to be mutually supportive in controlling YFV-17D infection despite distinct mechanisms of action in viral infection. However, it remains unclear how type III IFN (IFN-λ) integrates into this antiviral system. Here, we report that while wild-type (WT) and IFN-λ receptor knockout (λR−/−) mice were largely resistant to YFV-17D, deficiency in type I IFN signaling resulted in robust infection. Although IFN-α/β receptor knockout (α/βR−/−) mice survived the infection, mice with combined deficiencies in both type I signaling and type III IFN signaling were hypersusceptible to YFV-17D and succumbed to the infection. Mortality was associated with viral neuroinvasion and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). α/βR−/− λR−/− mice also exhibited distinct changes in the frequencies of multiple immune cell lineages, impaired T-cell activation, and severe perturbation of the proinflammatory cytokine balance. Taken together, our data highlight that type III IFN has critical immunomodulatory and neuroprotective functions that prevent viral neuroinvasion during active YFV-17D replication. Type III IFN thus likely represents a safeguard mechanism crucial for controlling YFV-17D infection and contributing to shaping vaccine immunogenicity. IMPORTANCE YFV-17D is a live attenuated flavivirus vaccine strain recognized as one of the most effective vaccines ever developed. However, the host and viral determinants governing YFV-17D attenuation and its potent immunogenicity are still unknown. Here, we analyzed the role of type III interferon (IFN)-mediated signaling, a host immune defense mechanism, in controlling YFV-17D infection and attenuation in different mouse models. We uncovered a critical role of type III IFN-mediated signaling in preserving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and preventing viral brain invasion. Type III IFN also played a major role in regulating the induction of a potent but balanced immune response that prevented viral evasion of the host immune system. An improved understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating YFV-17D attenuation will provide insights into the key virus-host interactions that regulate host immune responses and infection outcomes as well as open novel avenues for the development of innovative vaccine strategies. IMPORTANCE YFV-17D is a live attenuated flavivirus vaccine strain recognized as one of the most effective vaccines ever developed. However, the host and viral determinants governing YFV-17D attenuation and its potent immunogenicity are still unknown. Here, we analyzed the role of type III interferon (IFN)-mediated signaling, a host immune defense mechanism, in controlling YFV-17D infection and attenuation in different mouse models. We uncovered a critical role of type III IFN-mediated signaling in preserving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and preventing viral brain invasion. Type III IFN also played a major role in regulating the induction of a potent but balanced immune response that prevented viral evasion of the host immune system. An improved understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating YFV-17D attenuation will provide insights into the key virus-host interactions that regulate host immune responses and infection outcomes as well as open novel avenues for the development of innovative vaccine strategies.

scholarly journals Prominent Amphibian (Xenopus laevis) Tadpole Type III Interferon Response to the Frog Virus 3 Ranavirus

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 5072-5082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon Grayfer ◽  
Francisco De Jesús Andino ◽  
Jacques Robert
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frog Virus ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Type Iii Ifn ◽  
Type Iii Interferon

ABSTRACTRanaviruses (Iridoviridae) are posing an increasing threat to amphibian populations, with anuran tadpoles being particularly susceptible to these viral infections. Moreover, amphibians are the most basal phylogenetic class of vertebrates known to possess both type I and type III interferon (IFN)-mediated immunity. Moreover, little is known regarding the respective roles of the IFN mediators in amphibian antiviral defenses. Accordingly, we transcriptionally and functionally compared the amphibianXenopus laevistype I (IFN) and III (IFN-λ) IFNs in the context of infections by the ranavirus frog virus 3 (FV3).X. laevisIFN and IFN-λ displayed distinct tissue expression profiles. In contrast to our previous findings thatX. laevistadpoles exhibit delayed and modest type I IFN responses to FV3 infections compared to the responses of adults, here we report that tadpoles mount timely and robust type III IFN gene responses. Recombinant forms of these cytokines (recombinantX. laevisIFN [rXlIFN] and rXlIFN-λ) elicited antiviral gene expression in the kidney-derived A6 cell line as well as in tadpole leukocytes and tissues. However, rXlIFN-λ was less effective than rXlIFN in preventing FV3 replication in A6 cells and tadpoles and inferior at promoting tadpole survival. Intriguingly, FV3 impaired A6 cell and tadpole kidney type III IFN receptor gene expression. Furthermore, in A6 cultures rXlIFN-λ conferred equal or greater protection than rXlIFN against recombinant viruses deficient for the putative immune evasion genes, the viral caspase activation and recruitment domain (vCARD) or a truncated vIF-2α gene. Thus, in contrast to previous assumptions, tadpoles possess intact antiviral defenses reliant on type III IFNs, which are overcome by FV3 pathogens.IMPORTANCEAnuran tadpoles, including those ofXenopus laevis, are particularly susceptible to infection by ranavirus such as FV3. We investigated the respective roles ofX. laevistype I and type III interferons (IFN and IFN-λ, respectively) during FV3 infections. Notably, tadpoles mounted timely and more robust IFN-λ gene expression responses to FV3 than adults, contrasting with the poorer tadpole type I IFN responses. However, a recombinantX. laevisIFN-λ (rXlIFN-λ) conferred less protection to tadpoles and the A6 cell line than rXlIFN, which may be explained by the FV3 impairment of IFN-λ receptor gene expression. The importance of IFN-λ in tadpole anti-FV3 defenses is underlined by the critical involvement of two putative immune evasion genes in FV3 resistance to IFN- and IFN-λ-mediated responses. These findings challenge the view that tadpoles have defective antiviral immunity and suggest, rather, that their antiviral responses are predominated by IFN-λ responses, which are overcome by FV3.

scholarly journals Differential Regulation of Type I and Type III Interferon Signaling

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. Stanifer ◽  
Kalliopi Pervolaraki ◽  
Steeve Boulant
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Differential Regulation ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Interferon Signaling ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Type I Ifns ◽  
Current State ◽  
Type Iii Ifn ◽  
Type Iii Interferon

Interferons (IFNs) are very powerful cytokines, which play a key role in combatting pathogen infections by controlling inflammation and immune response by directly inducing anti-pathogen molecular countermeasures. There are three classes of IFNs: type I, type II and type III. While type II IFN is specific for immune cells, type I and III IFNs are expressed by both immune and tissue specific cells. Unlike type I IFNs, type III IFNs have a unique tropism where their signaling and functions are mostly restricted to epithelial cells. As such, this class of IFN has recently emerged as a key player in mucosal immunity. Since the discovery of type III IFNs, the last 15 years of research in the IFN field has focused on understanding whether the induction, the signaling and the function of these powerful cytokines are regulated differently compared to type I IFN-mediated immune response. This review will cover the current state of the knowledge of the similarities and differences in the signaling pathways emanating from type I and type III IFN stimulation.

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