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Qing F, Liu Z. Interferon regulatory factor 7 in inflammation, cancer and infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190841. [PMID: 37251373 PMCID: PMC10213216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a member of the interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) family, is located downstream of the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)-mediated signaling pathway and is essential for the production of type I interferon (IFN-I). Activation of IRF7 inhibits various viral and bacterial infections and suppresses the growth and metastasis of some cancers, but it may also affect the tumor microenvironment and promote the development of other cancers. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of IRF7 as a multifunctional transcription factor in inflammation, cancer and infection by regulating IFN-I production or IFN-I-independent signaling pathways.
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Kasmani MY, Zander R, Chung HK, Chen Y, Khatun A, Damo M, Topchyan P, Johnson KE, Levashova D, Burns R, Lorenz UM, Tarakanova VL, Joshi NS, Kaech SM, Cui W. Clonal lineage tracing reveals mechanisms skewing CD8+ T cell fate decisions in chronic infection. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20220679. [PMID: 36315049 PMCID: PMC9623343 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Although recent evidence demonstrates heterogeneity among CD8+ T cells during chronic infection, developmental relationships and mechanisms underlying their fate decisions remain incompletely understood. Using single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing, we traced the clonal expansion and differentiation of CD8+ T cells during chronic LCMV infection. We identified immense clonal and phenotypic diversity, including a subset termed intermediate cells. Trajectory analyses and infection models showed intermediate cells arise from progenitor cells before bifurcating into terminal effector and exhausted subsets. Genetic ablation experiments identified that type I IFN drives exhaustion through an IRF7-dependent mechanism, possibly through an IFN-stimulated subset bridging progenitor and exhausted cells. Conversely, Zeb2 was critical for generating effector cells. Intriguingly, some T cell clones exhibited lineage bias. Mechanistically, we identified that TCR avidity correlates with an exhausted fate, whereas SHP-1 selectively restricts low-avidity effector cell accumulation. Thus, our work elucidates novel mechanisms underlying CD8+ T cell fate determination during persistent infection and suggests two potential pathways leading to exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moujtaba Y. Kasmani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ryan Zander
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - H. Kay Chung
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Achia Khatun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Martina Damo
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Paytsar Topchyan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Kaitlin E. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Darya Levashova
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, and Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Robert Burns
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ulrike M. Lorenz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, and Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Vera L. Tarakanova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Nikhil S. Joshi
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Susan M. Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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Role of interferon regulatory factor 7 in corneal endothelial cells after HSV-1 infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16487. [PMID: 34389779 PMCID: PMC8363731 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95823-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections of the cornea including herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) cause visual morbidity, and the corneal endothelial cell damage leads to significant visual impairment. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) has been identified as a significant regulator in corneal endothelial cells after an HSV-1 infection. To examine the role played by IRF7, the DNA binding domain (DBD) of IRF7 of human corneal endothelial cells (HCEn) was disrupted. An RNAi inhibition of IRF7 and IRF7 DBD disruption (IRF7 ∆DBD) led to an impairment of IFN-β production. Impaired IFN-β production by IRF7 ∆DBD was regained by IRF7 DNA transfection. Transcriptional network analysis indicated that IRF7 plays a role in antigen presentation function of corneal endothelial cells. When the antigen presentation activity of HCEn cells were examined for priming of memory CD8 T cells, IRF7 disruption abolished the anti-viral cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response which was dependent on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. To further examine the roles played by IRF7 in CTL induction as acquired immunity, the contribution of IRF7 to MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation was assessed. Analysis of IRF7 ∆DBD cells indicated that IRF7 played an unrecognized role in MHC class I induction, and the viral infection induced-MHC class I induction was abolished by IRF7 disruption. Collectively, the IRF7 in corneal endothelial cells not only contributed to type I IFN response, but also to the mediation of viral infection-induced MHC class I upregulation and priming of CD8 arm of acquired immunity.
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Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 Attenuates Chronic Gammaherpesvirus Infection. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01554-20. [PMID: 32967960 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01554-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gammaherpesviruses are ubiquitous pathogens that establish lifelong infections and are associated with a variety of malignancies, including lymphomas. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF-7) is an innate immune transcription factor that restricts acute replication of diverse viruses, including murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68). Importantly, very little is known about the role of IRF-7 during chronic virus infections. In this study, we demonstrate that IRF-7 attenuates chronic infection by restricting establishment of gammaherpesvirus latency in the peritoneal cavity and, to a lesser extent, viral reactivation in the spleen. Despite the classical role of IRF-7 as a stimulator of type I interferon (IFN) transcription, there were no global effects on the expression of IFN-induced genes (ISGs) in the absence of IRF-7, with only a few ISGs showing attenuated expression in IRF-7-deficient peritoneal cells. Further, IRF-7 expression was dispensable for the induction of a virus-specific CD8 T cell response. In contrast, IRF-7 expression restricted latent gammaherpesvirus infection in the peritoneal cavity under conditions where the viral latent reservoir is predominantly hosted by peritoneal B cells. This report is the first demonstration of the antiviral role of IRF-7 during the chronic stage of gammaherpesvirus infection.IMPORTANCE The innate immune system of the host is critical for the restriction of acute viral infections. In contrast, the role of the innate immune network during chronic herpesvirus infection remains poorly defined. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF-7) is a transcription factor with many target genes, including type I interferons (IFNs). In this study, we show that the antiviral role of IRF-7 continues into the chronic phase of gammaherpesvirus infection, wherein IRF-7 restricts the establishment of viral latency and viral reactivation. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to define the role of IRF-7 in chronic virus infection.
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Liu X, Lv X, Wu Y, Song J, Wang X, Zhu R. Molecular characterization of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) IRF7 suggests involvement in innate immune response. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 109:103700. [PMID: 32278862 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) serves as a critical mediator in the regulation of type Ι interferon (IFN) response to invading pathogens. Here, an ortholog of IRF7 was characterized in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). The full-length cDNA of PfIRF7 consisted of 1516 bp encoding a polypeptide of 425 amino acids. PfIRF7 protein comprised a typical IRF structural architecture, including a DNA binding domain (DBD), an IRF association domain (IAD) and a serine-rich domain (SRD). PfIRF7 was expressed predominantly in the immune-related tissues and transcriptionally upregulated by PolyI:C, LPS, and Edwardsiella ictaluri. Ectopic expression of PfIRF7 led to activation of fish type I IFN promoters and induction of IFN and Vig1, thereby conferring a strong antiviral effect against spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV). Overall, the present data suggest that PfIRF7 may play an essential role in type I IFN response of yellow catfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Xue Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Yeqing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Jingjing Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Xingguo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China
| | - Rong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, China.
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Brisse ME, Ly H. Hemorrhagic Fever-Causing Arenaviruses: Lethal Pathogens and Potent Immune Suppressors. Front Immunol 2019; 10:372. [PMID: 30918506 PMCID: PMC6424867 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fevers (HF) resulting from pathogenic arenaviral infections have traditionally been neglected as tropical diseases primarily affecting African and South American regions. There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines for arenaviruses, and treatments have been limited to supportive therapy and use of non-specific nucleoside analogs, such as Ribavirin. Outbreaks of arenaviral infections have been limited to certain geographic areas that are endemic but known cases of exportation of arenaviruses from endemic regions and socioeconomic challenges for local control of rodent reservoirs raise serious concerns about the potential for larger outbreaks in the future. This review synthesizes current knowledge about arenaviral evolution, ecology, transmission patterns, life cycle, modulation of host immunity, disease pathogenesis, as well as discusses recent development of preventative and therapeutic pursuits against this group of deadly viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Brisse
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
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Suprunenko T, Hofer MJ. Complexities of Type I Interferon Biology: Lessons from LCMV. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020172. [PMID: 30791575 PMCID: PMC6409748 DOI: 10.3390/v11020172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) has provided an invaluable insight into our understanding of immune responses to viruses. In particular, this model has clarified the central roles that type I interferons play in initiating and regulating host responses. The use of different strains of LCMV and routes of infection has allowed us to understand how type I interferons are critical in controlling virus replication and fostering effective antiviral immunity, but also how they promote virus persistence and functional exhaustion of the immune response. Accordingly, these discoveries have formed the foundation for the development of novel treatments for acute and chronic viral infections and even extend into the management of malignant tumors. Here we review the fundamental insights into type I interferon biology gained using LCMV as a model and how the diversity of LCMV strains, dose, and route of administration have been used to dissect the molecular mechanisms underpinning acute versus persistent infection. We also identify gaps in the knowledge regarding LCMV regulation of antiviral immunity. Due to its unique properties, LCMV will continue to remain a vital part of the immunologists' toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Suprunenko
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Markus J Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Mogensen TH. IRF and STAT Transcription Factors - From Basic Biology to Roles in Infection, Protective Immunity, and Primary Immunodeficiencies. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3047. [PMID: 30671054 PMCID: PMC6331453 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The induction and action of type I interferon (IFN) is of fundamental importance in human immune defenses toward microbial pathogens, particularly viruses. Basic discoveries within the molecular and cellular signaling pathways regulating type I IFN induction and downstream actions have shown the essential role of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) families, respectively. However, the exact biological and immunological functions of these factors have been most clearly revealed through the study of inborn errors of immunity and the resultant infectious phenotypes in humans. The spectrum of human inborn errors of immunity caused by mutations in IRFs and STATs has proven very diverse. These diseases encompass herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) and severe influenza in IRF3- and IRF7/IRF9 deficiency, respectively. They also include Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial infection (MSMD) in STAT1 deficiency, through disseminated measles infection associated with STAT2 deficiency, and finally staphylococcal abscesses and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) classically described with Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) in the case of STAT3 deficiency. More recently, increasing focus has been on aspects of autoimmunity and autoinflammation playing an important part in many primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID)s, as exemplified by STAT1 gain-of-function causing CMC and autoimmune thyroiditis, as well as a recently described autoinflammatory syndrome with hypogammaglobulinemia and lymphoproliferation as a result of STAT3 gain-of-function. Here I review the infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune disorders arising from mutations in IRF and STAT transcription factors in humans, highlightning the underlying molecular mechanisms and immunopathogenesis as well as the clinical/therapeutic perspectives of these new insights.
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MESH Headings
- Autoimmunity
- Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous/genetics
- Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous/immunology
- Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous/metabolism
- Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex/genetics
- Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex/immunology
- Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate
- Influenza, Human/genetics
- Influenza, Human/immunology
- Influenza, Human/metabolism
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/genetics
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/immunology
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism
- Interferon Type I/immunology
- Interferon Type I/metabolism
- Janus Kinases/metabolism
- Job Syndrome/genetics
- Job Syndrome/immunology
- Job Syndrome/metabolism
- Mutation
- Mycobacterium Infections/genetics
- Mycobacterium Infections/immunology
- Mycobacterium Infections/metabolism
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/metabolism
- STAT Transcription Factors/genetics
- STAT Transcription Factors/immunology
- STAT Transcription Factors/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Trine H. Mogensen
- Department of Infectious diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Gates-Tanzer LT, Shisler JL. Cellular FLIP long isoform (cFLIP L)-IKKα interactions inhibit IRF7 activation, representing a new cellular strategy to inhibit IFNα expression. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:1745-1755. [PMID: 29222334 PMCID: PMC5798304 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferon α (IFNα) is important for antiviral and anticancer defenses. However, overproduction is associated with autoimmune disorders. Thus, the cell must precisely up- and down-regulate IFNα to achieve immune system homeostasis. The cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIP) is reported to inhibit IFNα production. However, the mechanism for this antagonism remained unknown. The goal here was to identify this mechanism. Here we examined the signal transduction events that occur during TLR9-induced IRF7 activation. The cFLIP long isoform (cFLIPL) inhibited the expression of IRF7-controlled natural or synthetic genes in several cell lines, including those with abundant IRF7 protein levels (e.g. dendritic cells). cFLIPL inhibited IRF7 phosphorylation; however, cFLIPL-IRF7 interactions were not detectable, implying that cFLIPL acted upstream of IRF7 dimerization. Interestingly, cFLIPL co-immunoprecipitated with IKKα, and these interactions correlated with a loss of IKKα-IRF7 interactions. Thus, cFLIP appears to bind to IKKα to prevent IKKα from phosphorylating and activating IRF7. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a cellular protein that uses this approach to inhibit IRF7 activation. Perhaps this cFLIP property could be engineered to minimize the deleterious effects of IFNα expression that occur during certain autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanna L Shisler
- From the Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
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Puthia M, Ambite I, Cafaro C, Butler D, Huang Y, Lutay N, Rydström G, Gullstrand B, Swaminathan B, Nadeem A, Nilsson B, Svanborg C. IRF7inhibition prevents destructive innate immunity—A target for nonantibiotic therapy of bacterial infections. Sci Transl Med 2016; 8:336ra59. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Abstract
Mammalian arenaviruses are zoonotic viruses that cause asymptomatic, persistent infections in their rodent hosts but can lead to severe and lethal hemorrhagic fever with bleeding and multiorgan failure in human patients. Lassa virus (LASV), for example, is endemic in several West African countries, where it is responsible for an estimated 500,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually. There are currently no FDA-licensed therapeutics or vaccines available to combat arenavirus infection. A hallmark of arenavirus infection (e.g., LASV) is general immunosuppression that contributes to high viremia. Here, we discuss the early host immune responses to arenavirus infection and the recently discovered molecular mechanisms that enable pathogenic viruses to suppress host immune recognition and to contribute to the high degree of virulence. We also directly compare the innate immune evasion mechanisms between arenaviruses and other hemorrhagic fever-causing viruses, such as Ebola, Marburg, Dengue, and hantaviruses. A better understanding of the immunosuppression and immune evasion strategies of these deadly viruses may guide the development of novel preventative and therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Meyer
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Ciancanelli MJ, Abel L, Zhang SY, Casanova JL. Host genetics of severe influenza: from mouse Mx1 to human IRF7. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 38:109-20. [PMID: 26761402 PMCID: PMC4733643 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses cause mild to moderate respiratory illness in most people, and only rarely devastating or fatal infections. The virulence factors encoded by viral genes can explain seasonal or geographic differences at the population level but are unlikely to account for inter-individual clinical variability. Inherited or acquired immunodeficiencies may thus underlie severe cases of influenza. The crucial role of host genes was first demonstrated by forward genetics in inbred mice, with the identification of interferon (IFN)-α/β-inducible Mx1 as a canonical influenza susceptibility gene. Reverse genetics has subsequently characterized the in vivo role of other mouse genes involved in IFN-α/β and -λ immunity. A series of in vitro studies with mouse and human cells have also refined the cell-intrinsic mechanisms of protection against influenza viruses. Population-based human genetic studies have not yet uncovered variants with a significant impact. Interestingly, human primary immunodeficiencies affecting T and B cells were also not found to predispose to severe influenza. Recently however, human IRF7 was shown to be essential for IFN-α/β- and IFN-λ-dependent protective immunity against primary influenza in vivo, as inferred from a patient with life-threatening influenza revealed to be IRF7-deficient by whole exome sequencing. Next generation sequencing of human exomes and genomes will facilitate the analysis of the human genetic determinism of severe influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Ciancanelli
- St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Laurent Abel
- St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM-U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Shen-Ying Zhang
- St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM-U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Laurent Casanova
- St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM-U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA; Pediatric Hematology-Immunology Unit, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
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IRF7-dependent type I interferon production induces lethal immune-mediated disease in STAT1 knockout mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. J Virol 2014; 88:7578-88. [PMID: 24760883 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03117-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Following systemic infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), STAT1 knockout (KO) mice but not wild-type, STAT2 KO, IRF9 KO, or IFNAR KO mice develop lethal disease perpetrated by CD4(+) T cells. IRF7 is a key transcriptional activator of type I IFN (IFN-I) during LCMV infection. Here, the role of IRF7 in the lethal host response to LCMV infection in STAT1 KO mice was examined. In contrast to STAT1 KO mice, STAT1/IRF7 double KO (DKO) mice survived LCMV infection with a reduced immune pathology in key organs, such as the liver and spleen. However, similar to STAT1 KO mice, STAT1/IRF7 DKO mice failed to control LCMV replication and spread. LCMV infection in STAT1 KO mice was associated with a significant elevation in the levels of a number of cytokines in serum, including IFN-Is, but this was largely absent in STAT1/IRF7 DKO mice, which had a modest increase in the levels of gamma interferon and CCL2 only. Since IRF7 is known to be a key transcriptional regulator of IFN-I gene expression, the possible role of IFN-I in lethal disease was examined further. STAT1/IFNAR DKO mice, in contrast to STAT1 KO mice, all survived infection with LCMV and exhibited little tissue immune pathology. Additionally, STAT1 KO mice that were deficient for either of the two IFN-I signaling molecules, STAT2 or IRF9, also survived LCMV infection. We conclude that the lethal immune-mediated disease resulting from LCMV infection in STAT1 KO mice is (i) dependent on IRF7-induced IFN-I production and (ii) driven by noncanonical IFN-I signaling via STAT2 and IRF9. IMPORTANCE Here we report on the basis for the novel, fatal immune-mediated disease of STAT1 KO mice infected with LCMV. Our findings show that, surprisingly, the pathogenesis of this disease is dependent on IRF7-mediated type I interferon production. Moreover, our study identifies noncanonical type I interferon signaling via STAT2 and IRF9 to be essential for the type I IFN-driven fatal disease in LCMV-infected STAT1 KO mice. These results further highlight the significance of noncanonical type I IFN signaling in the pathogenesis of host-mediated injury following viral infection.
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