title: Interferon-ε protects the female reproductive tract from viral and bacterial infection.
abstract: The innate immune system senses pathogens through pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that signal to induce effector cytokines, such as type I interferons (IFNs). We characterized IFN-ε as a type I IFN because it signaled via the Ifnar1 and Ifnar2 receptors to induce IFN-regulated genes. In contrast to other type I IFNs, IFN-ε was not induced by known PRR pathways; instead, IFN-ε was constitutively expressed by epithelial cells of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and was hormonally regulated. Ifn-ε-deficient mice had increased susceptibility to infection of the FRT by the common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) herpes simplex virus 2 and Chlamydia muridarum. Thus, IFN-ε is a potent antipathogen and immunoregulatory cytokine that may be important in combating STIs that represent a major global health and socioeconomic burden.
authors: Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Ka Yee
authors: KY
authors: Fung
authors: Niamh E
authors: NE
authors: Mangan
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Cumming
authors: Jay C
authors: JC
authors: Horvat
authors: Jemma R
authors: JR
authors: Mayall
authors: Sebastian A
authors: SA
authors: Stifter
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: De Weerd
authors: Laila C
authors: LC
authors: Roisman
authors: Jamie
authors: J
authors: Rossjohn
authors: Sarah A
authors: SA
authors: Robertson
authors: John E
authors: JE
authors: Schjenken
authors: Belinda
authors: B
authors: Parker
authors: Caroline E
authors: CE
authors: Gargett
authors: Hong P T
authors: HP
authors: Nguyen
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Carr
authors: Philip M
authors: PM
authors: Hansbro
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: Hertzog
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D023502:Chlamydia muridarum; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000276:immunology; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000276:immunology; D011067:Poly dA-dT / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D008024:Ligands; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; C578688:interferon-epsilon, mouse; C016069:poly (dA).oligo((d)T); D011067:Poly dA-dT; D007372:Interferons; D011070:Poly I-C