Journal Article

Guarding the frontiers: the biology of type III interferons

Wack, Andreas, Hartmann, Rune, Terczyńska-Dyla, Ewa

2015

Overview

Type I and III interferons share similar antiviral properties, but there are some important distinctions. Hartmann and colleagues review the specialized functions of type III interferons, including their ability to mediate antiviral functions at barrier surfaces. Type III interferons (IFNs) or IFN-λs regulate a similar set of genes as type I IFNs, but whereas type I IFNs act globally, IFN-λs primarily target mucosal epithelial cells and protect them against the frequent viral attacks that are typical for barrier tissues. IFN-λs thereby help to maintain healthy mucosal surfaces through immune protection, without the significant immune-related pathogenic risk associated with type I IFN responses. Type III IFNs also target the human liver, with dual effects: they induce an antiviral state in hepatocytes, but specific IFN-λ4 action impairs the clearance of hepatitis C virus and could influence inflammatory responses. This constitutes a paradox that has yet to be resolved.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group US,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 631/250/127/1212 / 631/250/249/2510 / 631/250/256 / 631/250/262 / Analysis / Antiviral activity / Antiviral state / Biomedicine / Care and treatment / Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 - genetics / Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 - immunology / Diagnosis / Epithelial cells / Genetic transcription / Health aspects / Health risks / Hepacivirus - immunology / Hepatitis C / Hepatitis C - immunology / Hepatitis C - virology / Hepatitis C virus / Hepatocytes / Hepatocytes - immunology / Hepatocytes - virology / Humans / Immune clearance / Immunology / Infectious Diseases / Interferon / Interferons / Interleukins - genetics / Interleukins - immunology / Models, Immunological / Mucosal immunity / Phosphorylation / review-article