Interferon-ε protects the female reproductive tract from viral and bacterial infection

Science. 2013 Mar 1;339(6123):1088-92. doi: 10.1126/science.1233321.

Abstract

The innate immune system senses pathogens through pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that signal to induce effector cytokines, such as type I interferons (IFNs). We characterized IFN-ε as a type I IFN because it signaled via the Ifnar1 and Ifnar2 receptors to induce IFN-regulated genes. In contrast to other type I IFNs, IFN-ε was not induced by known PRR pathways; instead, IFN-ε was constitutively expressed by epithelial cells of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and was hormonally regulated. Ifn-ε-deficient mice had increased susceptibility to infection of the FRT by the common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) herpes simplex virus 2 and Chlamydia muridarum. Thus, IFN-ε is a potent antipathogen and immunoregulatory cytokine that may be important in combating STIs that represent a major global health and socioeconomic burden.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Chlamydia Infections / genetics
  • Chlamydia Infections / immunology*
  • Chlamydia muridarum*
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Estrogens / immunology
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Herpes Genitalis / genetics
  • Herpes Genitalis / immunology*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human*
  • Humans
  • Interferons / genetics
  • Interferons / immunology*
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / immunology
  • Poly I-C / immunology
  • Poly dA-dT / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology*
  • Uterus / immunology
  • Vagina / immunology*
  • Vagina / microbiology
  • Vagina / virology

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Ligands
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • interferon-epsilon, mouse
  • poly (dA).oligo((d)T)
  • Poly dA-dT
  • Interferons
  • Poly I-C