Quantification of Type I Interferon Inhibition by Viral Proteins: Ebola Virus as a Case Study

Type I interferons (IFNs) are cytokines with both antiviral properties and protective roles in innate immune responses to viral infection. They induce an antiviral cellular state and link innate and adaptive immune responses. Yet, viruses have evolved different strategies to inhibit such host responses. One of them is the existence of viral proteins which subvert type I IFN responses to allow quick and successful viral replication, thus, sustaining the infection within a host. We propose mathematical models to characterise the intra-cellular mechanisms involved in viral protein antagonism of type I IFN responses, and compare three different molecular inhibition strategies. We study the Ebola viral protein, VP35, with this mathematical approach. Approximate Bayesian computation sequential Monte Carlo, together with experimental data and the mathematical models proposed, are used to perform model calibration, as well as model selection of the different hypotheses considered. Finally, we assess if model parameters are identifiable and discuss how such identifiability can be improved with new experimental data.

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STING: a master regulator in the cancer-immunity cycle

Molecular Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12943-019-1087-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Yuanyuan Zhu ◽

Xiang An ◽

Xiao Zhang ◽

Yu Qiao ◽

Tongsen Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

T Cells ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Independent Manner ◽

Adaptive Immune ◽

Cancer Immunity

Abstract The aberrant appearance of DNA in the cytoplasm triggers the activation of cGAS-cGAMP-STING signaling and induces the production of type I interferons, which play critical roles in activating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, numerous studies have shown that the activation of STING and the stimulation of type I IFN production are critical for the anticancer immune response. However, emerging evidence suggests that STING also regulates anticancer immunity in a type I IFN-independent manner. For instance, STING has been shown to induce cell death and facilitate the release of cancer cell antigens. Moreover, STING activation has been demonstrated to enhance cancer antigen presentation, contribute to the priming and activation of T cells, facilitate the trafficking and infiltration of T cells into tumors and promote the recognition and killing of cancer cells by T cells. In this review, we focus on STING and the cancer immune response, with particular attention to the roles of STING activation in the cancer-immunity cycle. Additionally, the negative effects of STING activation on the cancer immune response and non-immune roles of STING in cancer have also been discussed.

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Alveolar macrophage–derived type I interferons orchestrate innate immunity to RSV through recruitment of antiviral monocytes

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20140825 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 212 (5) ◽

pp. 699-714 ◽

Cited By ~ 116

Author(s):

Michelle Goritzka ◽

Spyridon Makris ◽

Fahima Kausar ◽

Lydia R. Durant ◽

Catherine Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Inflammatory Monocytes ◽

Type I Ifns ◽

Rsv Infection ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Severe Lung

Type I interferons (IFNs) are important for host defense from viral infections, acting to restrict viral production in infected cells and to promote antiviral immune responses. However, the type I IFN system has also been associated with severe lung inflammatory disease in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Which cells produce type I IFNs upon RSV infection and how this directs immune responses to the virus, and potentially results in pathological inflammation, is unclear. Here, we show that alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the major source of type I IFNs upon RSV infection in mice. AMs detect RSV via mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS)–coupled retinoic acid–inducible gene 1 (RIG-I)–like receptors (RLRs), and loss of MAVS greatly compromises innate immune restriction of RSV. This is largely attributable to loss of type I IFN–dependent induction of monocyte chemoattractants and subsequent reduced recruitment of inflammatory monocytes (infMo) to the lungs. Notably, the latter have potent antiviral activity and are essential to control infection and lessen disease severity. Thus, infMo recruitment constitutes an important and hitherto underappreciated, cell-extrinsic mechanism of type I IFN–mediated antiviral activity. Dysregulation of this system of host antiviral defense may underlie the development of RSV-induced severe lung inflammation.

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PLASMACYTOID DENDRITIC CELLS FUNCTION IN HIV INFECTION

Clinical & Investigative Medicine ◽

10.25011/cim.v31i4.4808 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 13

Author(s):

Martin Hyrcza ◽

Mario Ostrowski ◽

Sandy Der

Keyword(s):

Dendritic Cells ◽

Influenza Virus ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Gene Transcription ◽

Sendai Virus ◽

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Interferon Response ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are innate immune cells able to produce large quantities of type I interferons (IFN) when activated. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients show generalized immune dysfunction characterized in part by chronic interferon response. In this study we investigated the role of dendritic cells inactivating and maintaining this response. Specifically we compared the IFN geneactivity in pDCs in response to several viruses and TLR agonists. We hypothesized that 1) the pattern of IFN gene transcription would differ in pDCs treated with HIV than with other agents, and 2) that pDCs from patients from different stages of disease would respond differently to the stimulations. To test these hypotheses, we obtained pDCs from 15 HIV-infected and uninfected individuals and treated freshly isolated pDCs with either HIV (BAL strain), influenza virus (A/PR/8/34), Sendai virus (Cantell strain), TLR7 agonist(imiquimod), or TLR9 agonist (CpG-ODN) for 6h. Type I IFN gene transcription was monitored by real time qPCRfor IFNA1, A2, A5, A6, A8,A17, B1, and E1, and cytokine levels were assayed by Cytometric Bead Arrays forTNF?, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL1?, and IL12p70. pDC function as determined by these two assays showed no difference between HIV-infected and uninfected patients or between patients with early or chronic infection. Specifically, HIV did notinduce type I IFN gene expression, whereas influenza virus, Sendai virus and imiquimod did. Similarly, HIV failed to induce any cytokine release from pDCs in contrast to influenza virus, Sendai virus and imiquimod, which stimulatedrelease of TNF?, IL6, or IL8. Together these results suggest that the reaction of pDCs to HIV virus is quantitatively different from the response to agents such as virus, Sendai virus, and imiquimod. In addition, pDCs from HIV-infected persons have responses similar to pDCs from uninfected donors, suggesting, that the DC function may not be affected by HIV infection.

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Herpes simplex virus 1 targets IRF7 via ICP0 to limit type I IFN induction

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-77725-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

David Shahnazaryan ◽

Rana Khalil ◽

Claire Wynne ◽

Caroline A. Jefferies ◽

Joan Ní Gabhann-Dromgoole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herpes Simplex Virus ◽

Herpes Simplex ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Tear Film ◽

Cell Protein ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ◽

Simplex Virus ◽

Hsv 1

AbstractHerpes simplex keratitis (HSK), caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, is the commonest cause of infectious blindness in the developed world. Following infection the virus is initially suspended in the tear film, where it encounters a multi-pronged immune response comprising enzymes, complement, immunoglobulins and crucially, a range of anti-viral and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, given that HSV-1 can overcome innate immune responses to establish lifelong latency throughout a susceptible individual’s lifetime, there is significant interest in understanding the mechanisms employed by HSV-1 to downregulate the anti-viral type I interferon (IFN) mediated immune responses. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between infected cell protein (ICP)0 and key elements of the IFN pathway to identify possible novel targets that contribute to viral immune evasion. Reporter gene assays demonstrated the ability of ICP0 to inhibit type I IFN activity downstream of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) which are known to be involved in host antiviral defences. Further experiments identified interferon regulatory factor (IRF)7, a driver of type I IFN, as a potential target for ICP0. These findings increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of HSK and suggest IRF7 as a potential therapeutic target.

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Role of the Innate Immunity Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren’s Syndrome

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22063090 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 3090

Author(s):

Toshimasa Shimizu ◽

Hideki Nakamura ◽

Atsushi Kawakami

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Sjögren's Syndrome ◽

Sjogren’S Syndrome ◽

Sjogren's Syndrome ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Adaptive Immune ◽

Sjögren‘S Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the salivary and lacrimal glands and extra-glandular lesions. Adaptive immune response including T- and B-cell activation contributes to the development of SS. However, its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. In addition, several patients with SS present with the type I interferon (IFN) signature, which is the upregulation of the IFN-stimulated genes induced by type I IFN. Thus, innate immune responses including type I IFN activity are associated with SS pathogenesis. Recent studies have revealed the presence of activation pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including Toll-like receptors, RNA sensor retinoic acid-inducible gene I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5, and inflammasomes in infiltrating and epithelial cells of the salivary glands among patients with SS. In addition, the activation of PRRs via the downstream pathway such as the type I IFN signature and nuclear factor kappa B can directly cause organ inflammation, and it is correlated with the activation of adaptive immune responses. Therefore, this study assessed the role of the innate immune signal pathway in the development of inflammation and immune abnormalities in SS.

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Type I interferons affect the metabolic fitness of CD8+ T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22312-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Norzawani Buang ◽

Lunnathaya Tapeng ◽

Victor Gray ◽

Alessandro Sardini ◽

Chad Whilding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

T Cells ◽

Cell Death ◽

T Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Mitochondrial Abnormalities

AbstractThe majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have high expression of type I IFN-stimulated genes. Mitochondrial abnormalities have also been reported, but the contribution of type I IFN exposure to these changes is unknown. Here, we show downregulation of mitochondria-derived genes and mitochondria-associated metabolic pathways in IFN-High patients from transcriptomic analysis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CD8+ T cells from these patients have enlarged mitochondria and lower spare respiratory capacity associated with increased cell death upon rechallenge with TCR stimulation. These mitochondrial abnormalities can be phenocopied by exposing CD8+ T cells from healthy volunteers to type I IFN and TCR stimulation. Mechanistically these ‘SLE-like’ conditions increase CD8+ T cell NAD+ consumption resulting in impaired mitochondrial respiration and reduced cell viability, both of which can be rectified by NAD+ supplementation. Our data suggest that type I IFN exposure contributes to SLE pathogenesis by promoting CD8+ T cell death via metabolic rewiring.

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A Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Protein That Forms Inhibitory Complexes with Type I Interferon Receptor Subunits, Jak and STAT Proteins, and Blocks Interferon-Mediated Signal Transduction

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.02516-08 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 83 (10) ◽

pp. 5056-5066 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Sabine A. Bisson ◽

Anne-Laure Page ◽

Don Ganem

Keyword(s):

Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽

Human Tumor ◽

Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽

Lytic Replication ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Reading Frame ◽

Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽

Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

ABSTRACT Type I interferons (IFNs) are important mediators of innate antiviral defense and function by activating a signaling pathway through their cognate type I receptor (IFNAR). Here we report that lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) efficiently blocks type I IFN signaling and that an important effector of this blockade is the viral protein RIF, the product of open reading frame 10. RIF blocks IFN signaling by formation of inhibitory complexes that contain IFNAR subunits, the Janus kinases Jak1 and Tyk2, and the STAT2 transcription factor. Activation of both Tyk2 and Jak1 is inhibited, and abnormal recruitment of STAT2 to IFNAR1 occurs despite the decrement in Tyk2 activity. As a result of these actions, phosphorylation of both STAT2 and STAT1 is impaired, with subsequent failure of ISGF3 accumulation in the nucleus. The presence in the viral genome of potent inhibitors of type I IFN signaling, along with several viral genes that block IFN induction, highlights the importance of the IFN pathway in the control of this human tumor virus infection.

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Extrachromosomal Histone H2B Mediates Innate Antiviral Immune Responses Induced by Intracellular Double-Stranded DNA

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01339-09 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 822-832 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Kouji Kobiyama ◽

Fumihiko Takeshita ◽

Nao Jounai ◽

Asako Sakaue-Sawano ◽

Atsushi Miyawaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Rna Virus ◽

Cellular Signaling ◽

Helical Structure ◽

Human Cells ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Histone H2b ◽

Dna Viruses ◽

Double Stranded Dna

ABSTRACT Fragments of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) forming a right-handed helical structure (B-DNA) stimulate cells to produce type I interferons (IFNs). While an adaptor molecule, IFN-β promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1), mediates dsDNA-induced cellular signaling in human cells, the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the extrachromosomal histone H2B mediates innate antiviral immune responses in human cells. H2B physically interacts with IPS-1 through the association with a newly identified adaptor, CIAO (COOH-terminal importin 9-related adaptor organizing histone H2B and IPS-1), to transmit the cellular signaling for dsDNA but not immunostimulatory RNA. Extrachromosomal histone H2B was biologically crucial for cell-autonomous responses to protect against multiplication of DNA viruses but not an RNA virus. Thus, the present findings provide evidence indicating that the extrachromosomal histone H2B is engaged in the signaling pathway initiated by dsDNA to trigger antiviral innate immune responses.

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Crosstalk Between Autophagy and the cGAS–STING Signaling Pathway in Type I Interferon Production

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2021.748485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Kunli Zhang ◽

Sutian Wang ◽

Hongchao Gou ◽

Jianfeng Zhang ◽

Chunling Li

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Adenosine Monophosphate ◽

Degradation Process ◽

Guanosine Monophosphate ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Research Progress ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Major Pathway ◽

Sting Pathway

Innate immunity is the front-line defense against infectious microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria. Type I interferons are pleiotropic cytokines that perform antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory functions in cells. The cGAS–STING pathway, comprising the main DNA sensor cyclic guanosine monophosphate/adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of IFN genes (STING), is a major pathway that mediates immune reactions and is involved in the strong induction of type I IFN production, which can fight against microbial infections. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved degradation process that is required to maintain host health and facilitate capture and elimination of invading pathogens by the immune system. Mounting evidence indicates that autophagy plays an important role in cGAS–STING signaling pathway-mediated type I IFN production. This review briefly summarizes the research progress on how autophagy regulates the cGAS–STING pathway, regulating type I IFN production, with a particular focus on the crosstalk between autophagy and cGAS–STING signaling during infection by pathogenic microorganisms.

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The opportunistic intracellular bacterial pathogen Rhodococcus equi elicits type I interferons by engaging cytosolic DNA sensing in macrophages

10.1101/2021.03.28.437424 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Krystal J Vail ◽

Bibiana Petri da Silveira ◽

Samantha L Bell ◽

Angela I Bordin ◽

Noah D Cohen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Pathogen ◽

Opportunistic Pathogen ◽

Rhodococcus Equi ◽

Type I Interferons ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Dna Sensing ◽

Interferon Stimulated Genes ◽

Galectin 3 ◽

Dna Release

Rhodococcus equi is a major cause of foal pneumonia and an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised humans. While alveolar macrophages constitute the primary replicative niche for R. equi, little is known about how intracellular R. equi is sensed by macrophages. Here, we discovered that that in addition to previously characterized pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., Tnfa, Il6, Il1b), macrophages infected with R. equi induce a robust type I IFN response, including Ifnb and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), similar to the evolutionarily related pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Follow up studies using a combination of mammalian and bacterial genetics, demonstrated that induction of this type I IFN expression program is largely dependent on the cGAS/STING/TBK1 axis of the cytosolic DNA surveillance pathway, suggesting that R. equi perturbs the phagosomal membrane and causes DNA release into the cytosol following phagocytosis. Consistent with this we found that a population of ~12% of R. equi phagosomes recruited the galectin-3, -8 and -9 danger receptors. Interesting, neither phagosomal damage nor induction of type I IFN required the R. equi's virulence-associated plasmid. Importantly, R. equi infection of both mice and foals stimulated ISG expression, in organs (mice) and circulating monocytes (foals). By demonstrating that R. equi activates cytosolic DNA sensing in macrophages and elicits type I IFN responses in animal models, our work provides novel insights into how R. equi engages the innate immune system and furthers our understanding how this zoonotic pathogen causes inflammation and disease.

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