A TLR7 antagonist restricts interferon-dependent and -independent immunopathology in a mouse model of severe influenza.

ABSTRACT: Cytokine-mediated immune-cell recruitment and inflammation contribute to protection in respiratory virus infection. However, uncontrolled inflammation and the "cytokine storm" are hallmarks of immunopathology in severe infection. Cytokine storm is a broad term for a phenomenon with diverse characteristics and drivers, depending on host genetics, age, and other factors. Taking advantage of the differential use of virus-sensing systems by different cell types, we test the hypothesis that specifically blocking TLR7-dependent, immune cell-produced cytokines reduces influenza-related immunopathology. In a mouse model of severe influenza characterized by a type I interferon (IFN-I)-driven cytokine storm, TLR7 antagonist treatment leaves epithelial antiviral responses unaltered but acts through p

SUBMITTER: Rappe JCF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8421264 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature