Control of coronavirus infection through plasmacytoid dendritic-cell-derived type I interferon.

Abstract

This study demonstrates a unique and crucial role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and pDC-derived type I interferons (IFNs) in the pathogenesis of mouse coronavirus infection. pDCs controlled the fast replicating mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) through the immediate production of type I IFNs. Recognition of MHV by pDCs was mediated via TLR7 ensuring a swift IFN-alpha production following encounter with this cytopathic RNA virus. Furthermore, the particular type I IFN response pattern was not restricted to the murine coronavirus, but was also found in infection with the highly cytopathic human severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus. Taken together, our results suggest that rapid production of type I IFNs by pDCs is essential for the control of potentially lethal coronavirus infections.

• Authors: Luisa Cervantes-Barragan, Roland Züst, Friedemann Weber, Martin Spiegel, Karl S Lang, Shizuo Akira, Volker Thiel, Burkhard Ludewig
• Journal: Blood (Blood) Vol. 109 Issue 3 Pg. 1131-7 (Feb 01 2007) ISSN: 0006-4971 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16985170 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interferon Type I
• Interferon-alpha
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Tlr7 protein, mouse
• Toll-Like Receptor 7

Topics

• Animals
• Coronavirus Infections (etiology, immunology, virology)
• Dendritic Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Interferon Type I (biosynthesis, immunology)
• Interferon-alpha (biosynthesis)
• Membrane Glycoproteins (immunology)
• Mice
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus
• Toll-Like Receptor 7 (immunology)
• Virus Replication