Group 2 coronaviruses prevent immediate early interferon induction by protection of viral RNA from host cell recognition.
Many viruses encode antagonists to prevent interferon (IFN) induction. Infection of fibroblasts with the murine hepatitis coronavirus (MHV) and SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) did not result in nuclear translocation of interferon-regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a key transcription factor involved in IFN induction, and induction of IFN mRNA transcription. Furthermore, MHV and SARS-CoV infection could not prevent IFN induction by poly (I:C) or Sendai virus, suggesting that these CoVs do not inactivate IRF3-mediated transcription regulation, but apparently prevent detection of replicative RNA by cellular sensory molecules. Our data indicate that shielding of viral RNA to host cell sensors might be the main general mechanism for coronaviruses to prevent IFN induction.
Versteeg
Gijs A
GA
Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC E4-P, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
Bredenbeek
Peter J
PJ
van den Worm
Sjoerd H E
SH
Spaan
Willy J M
WJ
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D050838:Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D007739:L Cells; D051379:Mice; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000276:immunology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D029082:Sendai virus / Q000276:immunology; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D014709:Vero Cells
D050838:Interferon Regulatory Factor-3; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral