Human IRF1 governs macrophagic IFN-γ immunity to mycobacteria

Cell. 2023 Feb 2;186(3):621-645.e33. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.038.

Abstract

Inborn errors of human IFN-γ-dependent macrophagic immunity underlie mycobacterial diseases, whereas inborn errors of IFN-α/β-dependent intrinsic immunity underlie viral diseases. Both types of IFNs induce the transcription factor IRF1. We describe unrelated children with inherited complete IRF1 deficiency and early-onset, multiple, life-threatening diseases caused by weakly virulent mycobacteria and related intramacrophagic pathogens. These children have no history of severe viral disease, despite exposure to many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, which is life-threatening in individuals with impaired IFN-α/β immunity. In leukocytes or fibroblasts stimulated in vitro, IRF1-dependent responses to IFN-γ are, both quantitatively and qualitatively, much stronger than those to IFN-α/β. Moreover, IRF1-deficient mononuclear phagocytes do not control mycobacteria and related pathogens normally when stimulated with IFN-γ. By contrast, IFN-α/β-dependent intrinsic immunity to nine viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, is almost normal in IRF1-deficient fibroblasts. Human IRF1 is essential for IFN-γ-dependent macrophagic immunity to mycobacteria, but largely redundant for IFN-α/β-dependent antiviral immunity.

Keywords: IRF1; Mycobacterium; inborn errors of immunity; interferon-stimulated gene; interferon-γ; macrophages; viruses.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Mycobacterium*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Interferon-gamma
  • Interferon-alpha
  • IRF1 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1