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Type I IFN Production (type + i_ifn_production)
Selected AbstractsInfluenza A viruses with truncated NS1 as modified live virus vaccines: Pilot studies of safety and efficacy in horsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009T. M. Chambers Summary Reasons for performing study: Three previously described NS1 mutant equine influenza viruses encoding carboxyterminally truncated NS1 proteins are impaired in their ability to inhibit type I IFN production in vitro and are replication attenuated, and thus are candidates for use as a modified live influenza virus vaccine in the horse. Hypothesis: One or more of these mutant viruses is safe when administered to horses, and recipient horses when challenged with wild-type influenza have reduced physiological and virological correlates of disease. Methods: Vaccination and challenge studies were done in horses, with measurement of pyrexia, clinical signs, virus shedding and systemic proinflammatory cytokines. Results: Aerosol or intranasal inoculation of horses with the viruses produced no adverse effects. Seronegative horses inoculated with the NS1-73 and NS1-126 viruses, but not the NS1-99 virus, shed detectable virus and generated significant levels of antibodies. Following challenge with wild-type influenza, horses vaccinated with NS1-126 virus did not develop fever (>38.5°C), had significantly fewer clinical signs of illness and significantly reduced quantities of virus excreted for a shorter duration post challenge compared to unvaccinated controls. Mean levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, and IL-6 were significantly higher in control animals, and were positively correlated with peak viral shedding and pyrexia on Day +2 post challenge. Conclusion and clinical relevance: These data suggest that the recombinant NS1 viruses are safe and effective as modified live virus vaccines against equine influenza. This type of reverse genetics-based vaccine can be easily updated by exchanging viral surface antigens to combat the problem of antigenic drift in influenza viruses. [source] Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, function as inhibitors of cellular and molecular components involved in type I interferon productionARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010Hideki Amuro Objective Statins, which are used as cholesterol-lowering agents, have pleiotropic immunomodulatory properties. Although beneficial effects of statins have been reported in autoimmune diseases, the mechanisms of these immunomodulatory effects are still poorly understood. Type I interferons (IFNs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) represent key molecular and cellular pathogenic components in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, PDCs may be a specific target of statins in therapeutic strategies against SLE. This study was undertaken to investigate the immunomodulatory mechanisms of statins that target the IFN response in PDCs. Methods We isolated human blood PDCs by flow cytometry and examined the effects of simvastatin and pitavastatin on PDC activation, IFN, production, and intracellular signaling. Results Statins inhibited IFN, production profoundly and tumor necrosis factor , production modestly in human PDCs in response to Toll-like receptor ligands. The inhibitory effect on IFN, production was reversed by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and was mimicked by either geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor or Rho kinase inhibitor, suggesting that statins exert their inhibitory actions through geranylgeranylated Rho inactivation. Statins inhibited the expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and Akt, and the inhibitory effect on the IFN response was through the prevention of nuclear translocation of IFN regulatory factor 7. In addition, statins had an inhibitory effect on both IFN, production by PDCs from SLE patients and SLE serum,induced IFN, production. Conclusion Our findings suggest a specific role of statins in controlling type I IFN production and a therapeutic potential in IFN-related autoimmune diseases such as SLE. [source] Lupus-like disease and high interferon levels corresponding to trisomy of the type I interferon cluster on chromosome 9pARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2006Haoyang Zhuang Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with type I interferons (IFNs) and can be induced by IFN, treatment. This study looked for evidence of autoimmunity in a pedigree consisting of 4 family members with a balanced translocation 9;21 and 2 members with an unbalanced translocation resulting in trisomy of the short (p) arm and part of the long (q) arm of chromosome 9. These latter 2 subjects had 3 copies of the IFN gene cluster. Methods Subjects were evaluated clinically and serologically for autoimmune disease. Expression levels of IFN,4, IFN,, the type I IFN,inducible gene Mx1, the type I IFN receptor, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor , were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells, the main IFN-producing cells, were quantified by flow cytometry. Results Both subjects with trisomy of chromosome 9p had a lupus-like syndrome with joint manifestations and antinuclear antibodies: one had anti-RNP and antiphospholipid autoantibodies, and the other had anti,Ro 60. The 3 family members with a balanced translocation 9;21 had no clinical or serologic evidence of autoimmunity, similar to that in relatives who were unaffected by the chromosomal translocation. In the 2 subjects with trisomy of 9p, high levels of IFN,/, (comparable with those found in patients with SLE), increased signaling through the IFN receptor (as indicated by high Mx1 expression), and low levels of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (as observed in patients with SLE) were evident. These abnormalities were not seen in individuals with a balanced translocation. Conclusion Trisomy of the type I IFN cluster of chromosome 9p was associated with lupus-like autoimmunity and increased IFN,/, and IFN receptor signaling. The data support the idea that abnormal regulation of type I IFN production is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. [source] Breastfeeding is associated with the production of type I interferon in infants infected with influenza virusACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 10 2010Guillermina A Melendi Abstract Background:, Breast milk-mediated protection against respiratory viruses is well established. However, protective mechanisms are unclear. Type I interferons (IFN) mediate host defence against respiratory viruses, particularly influenza virus. The relationship among type I IFN, respiratory viral infections and breastfeeding has not been explored. Methods:, Type I IFN responses were studied by ELISA and real time PCR in nasal secretions of infants experiencing their first respiratory infection. Modulation of IFN by breastfeeding and other variables affecting severity during viral infection was explored. Results:, One hundred and twenty infants were positive by RT-PCR for influenza virus (n = 24), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (n = 30) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (n = 66). Type I IFNs were detected more frequently in infants infected with influenza virus than in those infected with RSV or hMPV. Breastfeeding promoted higher rates and levels of type I IFN only in infants infected with influenza virus. No effect on IFN production was observed for age, gender or smoking. Conclusion:, Our study confirms that type I IFN production is detected more frequently in infants infected with influenza virus. Importantly, higher rates and levels of type I IFN in these infants are associated with breastfeeding. These observations suggest that breast milk can protect against respiratory viruses by activating innate antiviral mechanisms in the host. [source] |