The diverse roles of type I interferon in response to EMCV and SeV infections

Authors

• JR Bedsaul
• LA Zaritsky
• KC Zoon

Abstract

Type I interferon (IFN) is one of the body’s first line of defense against invading pathogens. The IFN-α subgroup in the type I IFN family consists of 12 different proteins that are known to have antiviral properties. However, the specific functions, efficacies, and induction patterns of each IFN-α subtype in response to viral pathogens have not been fully assessed. This study examines these properties using two RNA viruses, Sendai virus (SeV) and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and two human cell lines. Using the human lung epithelial cell line A549 and monocytoid cell line U937 we show that IFN-α subtypes are unique in their antiviral properties. IFN-α subtype pretreatment of both cell lines challenged with EMCV results in a range of antiviral activities. Subtype pretreatment followed by SeV challenge, however, did not protect either cell type. A549 cells were shown to induce very little type I IFN RNA upon SeV infection, but this induction results in the upregulation of IFN stimulated genes and biologically active IFN protein. Together, our study shows that IFN-αs have cell type and virus specific functions. The inability of type I IFNs to protect against SeV infection must be further explored mechanistically to uncover why biologically active type I IFNs are unable to induce an antiviral state.

Scientific Focus Area: Immunology

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