The antiviral restriction factors IFITM1, 2 and 3 do not inhibit infection of human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus and adenovirus

PLoS One. 2014 May 14;9(5):e96579. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096579. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Type I interferons (IFN-α and β) induce dynamic host defense mechanisms to inhibit viral infections. It has been recently recognized that the interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) 1, 2 and 3 can block entry of a broad spectrum of RNA viruses. However, no study to date has focused on the role of IFITM proteins in DNA virus restriction. Here, we demonstrate that IFN-α or -β treatment of keratinocytes substantially decreases human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) infection while robustly inducing IFITM1, 2 and 3 expression. However, IFITM1, 2 and 3 overexpression did not inhibit HPV16 infection; rather, IFITM1 and IFITM3 modestly enhanced HPV16 infection in various cell types including primary keratinocytes. Moreover, IFITM1, 2 and 3 did not inhibit infection by two other DNA viruses, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). Taken together, we reveal that the entry of several DNA viruses, including HPV, HCMV, and Ad5 is not affected by IFITM1, 2 and 3 expression. These results imply that HPV, and other DNA viruses, may bypass IFITM restriction during intracellular trafficking.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / immunology*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Gene Expression
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Evasion
  • Interferon-alpha / pharmacology
  • Interferon-beta / pharmacology
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects
  • Keratinocytes / immunology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / virology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • IFITM2 protein, human
  • IFITM3 protein, human
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • leu-13 antigen
  • Interferon-beta