Identification of five interferon-induced cellular proteins that inhibit west nile virus and dengue virus infections

D Jiang, JM Weidner, M Qing, XB Pan, H Guo… - Journal of …, 2010 - Am Soc Microbiol
D Jiang, JM Weidner, M Qing, XB Pan, H Guo, C Xu, X Zhang, A Birk, J Chang, PY Shi
Journal of virology, 2010Am Soc Microbiol
Interferons (IFNs) are key mediators of the host innate antiviral immune response. To identify
IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that instigate an antiviral state against two medically important
flaviviruses, West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus (DENV), we tested 36 ISGs that are
commonly induced by IFN-α for antiviral activity against the two viruses. We discovered that
five ISGs efficiently suppressed WNV and/or DENV infection when they were individually
expressed in HEK293 cells. Mechanistic analyses revealed that two structurally related cell …
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) are key mediators of the host innate antiviral immune response. To identify IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that instigate an antiviral state against two medically important flaviviruses, West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus (DENV), we tested 36 ISGs that are commonly induced by IFN-α for antiviral activity against the two viruses. We discovered that five ISGs efficiently suppressed WNV and/or DENV infection when they were individually expressed in HEK293 cells. Mechanistic analyses revealed that two structurally related cell plasma membrane proteins, IFITM2 and IFITM3, disrupted early steps (entry and/or uncoating) of the viral infection. In contrast, three IFN-induced cellular enzymes, viperin, ISG20, and double-stranded-RNA-activated protein kinase, inhibited steps in viral proteins and/or RNA biosynthesis. Our results thus imply that the antiviral activity of IFN-α is collectively mediated by a panel of ISGs that disrupt multiple steps of the DENV and WNV life cycles.
American Society for Microbiology