What have we learned from the IL28 receptor knockout mouse?
The recently discovered type III interferons (IFNs), also known as IFN-lambda, are part of the early innate immune response against viral infections. The IFN-lambda system closely resembles the type I IFN (IFN-alpha/beta) system in terms of expression after virus infection as well as intracellular signaling and activation of antiviral host factors in susceptible cells. However, in contrast to type I IFN, which signals through a universally expressed cell surface receptor, IFN-lambda uses a distinct receptor complex (IL28R) for signaling, which is expressed on a limited range of cell types. Until recently both the contribution of type III IFN to antiviral resistance as well as the exact nature of IL28R-expressing cells in vivo remained elusive. In this review we discuss data obtained from the experiments with IL28Ralpha(0/0) mice that demonstrated the role of IFN-lambda in viral defense in vivo. We further discuss the experiments that identified the cell types in various organs that express functional IFN-lambda receptors.
Mordstein
Markus
M
Department of Virology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Michiels
Thomas
T
Staeheli
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007370:Interferon Type I; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; C511668:interferon-lambda protein, mouse; D007378:Interleukins; D000095022:Interferon Lambda; C471046:interleukin 28alpha receptor