Viral infection and Toll-like receptor agonists induce a differential expression of type I and lambda interferons in human plasmacytoid and monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Eur J Immunol. 2004 Mar;34(3):796-805. doi: 10.1002/eji.200324610.

Abstract

In humans, the type I interferon (IFN) family consists of 13 IFN-alpha subtypes, IFN-beta and IFN-omicron the newly discovered IFN-like family consists of IFN-lambda1, -lambda2 and -lambda3. We have investigated the expression of type I and lambda IFN genes following virus infections or Toll-like receptor (TLR) triggering in monocyte-derived DC (MDDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC). We found that all IFN-alpha, -beta, -omicron and -lambda subtypes are expressed in influenza-virus-infected MDDC or pDC. Conversely, differential type I IFN gene transcription was induced in MDDC and pDC stimulated by specific TLR agonists. TLR-9 stimulation by CpG DNA induced the expression of all IFN-alpha, -beta, -omicron and -lambda subtypes in pDC, whereas TLR-4 stimulation by LPS, or TLR-3 stimulation by poly I:C, induced only IFN-beta and IFN-lambda gene expression in MDDC. The expression pattern of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-5 and IRF-7 in MDDC and pDC was also determined. IRF-5 was constitutively expressed in the two DC subsets whereas IRF-7 was constitutive in pDC but its expression was induced along MDDC maturation. Overall, our data indicate that the coordinated expression of IFN-lambda with IFN-beta would be of crucial importance for the maturation of DC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Dendritic Cells / classification
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / virology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / physiology*
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Interferon Type I / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon Type I / genetics
  • Interferons / biosynthesis*
  • Interferons / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / agonists*
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IRF5 protein, human
  • IRF7 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Interferon Type I
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • TLR3 protein, human
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • TLR9 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Interferons