Interferon regulatory factor 3 is necessary for induction of antiviral genes during human cytomegalovirus infection.
Viral infection activates interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a cofactor for the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The role of IRF3 in the activation of ISGs by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is controversial despite the fact that HCMV has consistently been shown to induce ISGs during infection of fibroblasts. To address the function of IRF3 in HCMV-mediated ISG induction, we monitored ISG expression and global gene expression in HCMV-infected cells in which IRF3 function had been depleted by small interfering RNA or blocked by dominant negative IRF3. A specific reduction of ISG induction was observed, whereas other transcripts were unaffected. We therefore conclude that IRF3 specifically regulates ISG induction during the initial phase of HCMV infection.
DeFilippis
Victor R
VR
Oregon Health and Science University, West Campus, Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, 505 NW 185th Ave., Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
Robinson
Bridget
B
Keck
Thomas M
TM
Hansen
Scott G
SG
Nelson
Jay A
JA
Früh
Klaus J
KJ
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D005092:Exonucleases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005095:Exoribonucleases; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D050838:Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D050838:Interferon Regulatory Factor-3; D005092:Exonucleases; D005095:Exoribonucleases; C112346:ISG20 protein, human