Biological effects of chicken type III interferon on expression of interferon-stimulated genes in chickens: comparison with type I and type II interferons.
Interferons (IFNs) are key mediators that activate host defense mechanisms against viruses. The recently identified mammalian Type III IFN has biological effects similar to type I IFN. However, the biological effects of type III IFN have not yet been characterized in birds. We compared the effects of chicken type III IFN (IFN-λ) with type I (IFN-β) and type II (IFN-γ) IFNs on IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) using recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant chicken IFN-λ inhibited influenza virus replication and induced the mRNA expression of the ISGs, Mx and OAS, in chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEFs) in a dose-dependent manner. However, the effective dose of IFN-λ was higher than that of IFN-β and IFN-γ. Furthermore, the effect of IFN-λ on induction of Mx and OAS was lesser than that of IFN-β, but comparable to that of IFN-γ. These results indicate that chicken IFN-λ has the potential to induce ISGs and inhibit viral replication in chicken cells.
Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan.
Yasumitsu
Y
Masuda
Akiko
A
Matsuda
Tatsufumi
T
Usui
Toru
T
Sugai
Atsushi
A
Asano
Yoshiaki
Y
Yamano
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005347:Fibroblasts; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D007372:Interferons / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000187:drug effects*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D007372:Interferons