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Role for ISGF3II in the Antiviral Activity of IFN-gamma

ABSTRACT: Type-I (e.g. IFN-alpha, IFN-beta) and type-II IFNs (IFN-gamma) have antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. Both types of IFN signal through the Jak/STAT pathway to elicit antiviral activity, yet IFN-gamma is thought to do so only through STAT1 homodimers while type-I IFNs activate both STAT1- and STAT2-containing complexes such as ISGF3. Here we show that ISGF3II - composed of phosphorylated STAT1, unphosphorylated STAT2, and IRF9 - also plays a role in IFN-gamma-mediated antiviral activity in humans. Using phosphorylated STAT1 as a marker for IFN signaling, western blot analysis of IFN-alpha2a treated human A549 cells revealed that pSTAT1 (Y701) levels peaked at 1h, decreased by 6h, and remained at low levels for up to 48h. Cells treated with IFN-gamma showed a biphasic pSTAT1 response with an early peak at 1-2h and a second peak at 15-24h. Gene expression microarray following IFN-gamma treatment for 24h indicated an induction of antiviral genes that are induced by ISGF3 and associated with a type-1 IFN response. Induction of these genes by autocrine type-I and type-III IFN signaling was ruled out using neutralizing antibodies to these IFNs in biological assays and by qRT-PCR. Despite the absence of autocrine IFNs, IFN-gamma treatment induced formation of ISGF3II. This novel transcription factor complex binds to ISRE promoter sequences, as shown by ChIP analysis of the PKR promoter. STAT2 and IRF9 knockdown in A549 cells reversed IFN-gamma-mediated ISRE induction and antiviral activity - implicating ISGF3II formation as a significant component of the cellular response and biological activity of IFN-gamma.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE25113 | GEO | 2011/01/19

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA134507

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Type I Interferons (IFN-I) mediate cellular responses to virus infection. IFN-I induces IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression by phosphorylating STAT1 and STAT2, and together with interferon regulatory factor (IRF9), form the transcription complex ISGF3 that binds to the interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) in ISG promoters. As a component of ISGF3, it is clear that STAT2 plays an essential role in the transcriptional responses to IFN-I with a strong dependence on STAT1. Previously, we showed that STAT2 also forms homodimers that interact with IRF9 (STAT2-IRF9) to activate transcription of ISRE-containing ISGs in response to IFN-I. Indeed, evidence is accumulating for the existence of a STAT1-independent IFN-I signaling pathway, where STAT2-IRF9 can substitute the role of ISGF3. Here, we provide further insight in the transcriptional regulation and the biological implications of STAT2-IRF9 dependent IFN-I signaling. In human STAT1 KO cells overexpressing human STAT2 (U3C-STAT2), we observed that in response to IFN-I, STAT2 homodimers interact with IRF9 to regulate ISG transcription. The IFN-I-induced phosphorylation profile of STAT2 in U3C-STAT2 was prolonged as compared to WT cells (2fTGH), which corresponded with the expression pattern of OAS2 that also depended on IRF9. Subsequent microarray analysis of IFN-I treated 2fTGH and U3C-STAT2 extended our initial observations and identified more than 60 known antiviral ISGs commonly up-regulated in both cell types. The expression profile of these ISGs was delayed and prolonged in U3C-STAT2 as opposed to the early and transient response in 2fTGH. Moreover, U3C-STAT2 were able to restore an antiviral response upon EMCV and VSV infection that was comparable to the response in 2fTGH. Together, our results strongly suggest that an alternative IFN-I-mediated, STAT2-IRF9 dependent signaling pathway exists that can generate an antiviral response without STAT1 and could be beneficial for example against viruses that directly block STAT1 and impair the formation of ISGF3.

Project description:Type I Interferons (IFN-I) mediate cellular responses to virus infection. IFN-I induce IFN stimulated gene (ISG) expression by phosphorylating STAT1 and STAT2, and together with interferon regulatory factor (IRF)9, form the transcription complex ISGF3 that binds to the interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) in ISG promoters. As a component of ISGF3 it is clear that STAT2 plays an essential role in the transcriptional responses to IFN-I with a strong dependence on STAT1. Previously, we showed that STAT2 also forms homodimers that interact with IRF9 (STAT2-IRF9) to activate transcription of ISRE containing ISGs in response to IFN-I. Indeed, evidence is accumulating for the existence of a STAT1-independent IFN-I signaling pathway, where STAT2-IRF9 can substitute the role of ISGF3. Here, we provide further insight in the transcriptional regulation and the biological implications of STAT2-IRF9 dependent IFN-I signaling. In human STAT1 KO cells overexpressing human STAT2 (U3C-STAT2) we observed that in response to IFN-I STAT2 homodimers interact with IRF9 to regulate ISG transcription. The IFN-I-induced phosphorylation profile of STAT2 in U3C-STAT2 was prolonged as compared to WT cells (2fTGH), which corresponded with the expression pattern of OAS2 that also depended on IRF9. Subsequent microarray analysis of IFN-I treated 2fTGH and U3C-STAT2 extended our initial observations and identified more than 60 known antiviral ISGs commonly up-regulated in both cell types. The expression profile of these ISGs was delayed and prolonged in U3C-STAT2 as opposed to the early and transient response in 2fTGH. Moreover, U3C-STAT2 were able to restore an antiviral response upon EMCV and VSV infection that was comparable to the response in 2fTGH. Together, our results strongly suggest that an alternative IFN-I-mediated, STAT2-IRF9 dependent signaling pathway exists that can generate an antiviral response without STAT1 and could be beneficial for example against viruses that directly block STAT1 and impair the formation of ISGF3.

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Role for ISGF3II in the Antiviral Activity of IFN-gamma

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