title: New function of type I IFN: induction of autophagy.
abstract: Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular process responsible for recycling of intracellular material. It is induced by different stress signals, including starvation, cytokines, and pathogens. Type I interferons (IFN) are proteins with pleiotropic functions, such as antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory activities. Several recent studies showed type I IFN-induced autophagy in multiple cancer cell lines as evidenced by autophagic markers, for example, the conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (MAP1LC3B, also known as LC3-I) to LC3-II and the formation of autophagosomes by electron microscopy. In addition, studies suggest the involvement of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) and mechanistic target of rapamycin, serine/threonine kinase (mTOR) pathways in the induction of autophagy. This review highlights a new function of type I IFN as an inducer of autophagy. This new function of type I IFN may play an important role in viral clearance, antigen presentation, inhibition of proliferation, as well as a positive feedback loop for the production of type I IFN.
authors.affiliation: Cytokine Biology Section, National Institutes of Health , National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmeisser
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bekisz
authors.forename: Kathryn C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Zoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001343:Autophagy / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I