Interferon lambda restricts West Nile virus neuroinvasion by enhancing integrity of the blood-brain barrier

ABSTRACT: Although type III interferons (IFN), also known as IFN-λ or IL28/IL-29, restrict infection by several viruses, their mechanism of inhibitory action has remained uncertain. We used recombinant IFN-λ and mice lacking the IFN-λ receptor (IFNLR1) to evaluate the effect of IFN-λ on infection with West Nile virus (WNV), an encephalitic flavivirus. Cell culture studies in keratinocytes and dendritic cells showed no direct antiviral effect of exogenous IFN-λ even though ISGs were induced. Correspondingly, we observed no differences in WNV burden between wild-type and Ifnlr1-/- mice in the draining lymph node, spleen, and blood. However, we detected earlier dissemination and increased WNV infection in the brain and spinal cord of Ifnlr1-/- mice, yet this was not associated with a direct antiviral e

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Michael Diamond 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-64735 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress