title: Activation and regulation of interferon-β in immune responses.
abstract: Interferons (IFNs) were discovered more than half a century ago, and extensive research has since identified multifarious roles for type I IFN in human immune responses. Here, we review the functions of IFN-β in innate and adaptive immunity. We also discuss the activation and influence of IFN-β on myeloid cell types, including monocytes and dendritic cells, as well as address the effects of IFN-β on T cells and B cells. Findings from our own laboratory, which explores the molecular mechanisms of IFN-β activation by LPS and viruses, as well as from other groups investigating the regulation of IFN-β by viral proteins and endogenous factors are described. The effects of post-translational modifications of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3 on IFN-β induction are also highlighted. Many unanswered questions remain concerning the regulation of the type I IFN response in inflammation, especially the role of transcription factors in the modulation of inflammatory gene expression, and these questions will form the basis for exciting avenues of future research.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Inflammation, Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, #04 Immunos, Biopolis, Singapore.
authors.forename: Wei-Xiang
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Joe Poh-Sheng
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Yeong
authors.forename: Keh-Chuang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050838:Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / Q000276:immunology*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: C494232:IRF3 protein, human; D050838:Interferon Regulatory Factor-3; D014764:Viral Proteins; D016899:Interferon-beta