Subchromosomal localization of mouse IFN-alpha genes by in situ hybridization

The regulation of antiviral activity of interferon epsilon

Interferon epsilon (IFN-ε) is a type I IFN. Some biological properties has been identified in many species, such as antiproliferative, anti-tumor, and antiviral effects, of IFN-ε, which are much weaker than those of IFN-α, have also been revealed. It has been shown to play a role in mucosal immunity and bacterial infection and in the prevention of certain sexually transmitted diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This paper reviews the known activity of IFN-ε, particularly in some viruses. In general, this review provides a better understanding of effective IFN-ε treatment in the future.

PROPERTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NOVEL TYPE I INTERFERON EPSILON

Interferon epsilon (IFNε) is a type I IFN with unusual patterns of expression and therefore, function. It is constitutively expressed by reproductive tract epithelium and regulated by hormones during estrus cycle, reproduction, and menopause and by exogenous hormones. The IFNe protein is encoded by a gene in the type I IFN locus, binds to IFNAR1 and 2 which are required for signaling via the JAK STAT pathway. Its affinity for binding receptors and transducing signals is less potent than IFNα or β subtypes in vitro. Nevertheless, in vivo experiments indicate its efficacy in regulating mucosal immune responses and protecting from bacterial and viral infections. These studies demonstrate a different mechanism of action to type I IFNs. In this organ system with dynamic fluxes in cellularity, requirement to tolerate an implanted fetus, and be protected from disease, there is co-option of a special IFN from a family of effective immunoregulators, with unique controls and modified potency to make it a safe and effective constitutive reproductive tract cytokine.

Interferons as biomarkers and effectors: lessons learned from animal models

Interferons (IFNs) comprise type I, II and III families with multiple subtypes. Via transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), IFNs can exert multiple biological effects on the cell. In infectious and chronic inflammatory diseases, the IFNs and their ISG sets can be potentially utilized as biomarkers of disease outcome. Animal models allow investigations into disease pathogenesis and gene knockout models have proved cause and effect relationships of molecules related to the IFN response. Sets of IFN subtypes and their ISG products provide immunological signature patterns for different viral and other diseases. In this article, we give an overview of IFNs in several virus infection models and autoimmune diseases of medical relevance. Lessons learned from animal models inform us of IFN system parameters as indicators of disease outcome and whether clinical research is warranted. Moreover, validated IFN biomarkers for prognosis enhance our understanding of therapeutic and vaccine development.

Somatic cell mapping of the bovine interferon-alpha receptor

The bovine interferon-alpha receptor (BoIFN-alpha R) mediates the activity of bovine IFN-alpha s and IFN-beta. In addition, human IFN-alpha s have uniformly high biological activity on bovine cells. A 32P-labeled derivative of human recombinant IFN-alpha A (HuIFN-alpha A-P1) binds well and can form a characteristic 130-kDa complex on bovine cells, but not on hamster cells. We have, therefore, analyzed the binding and covalent crosslinking of [32P]HuIFN-alpha A-P1 to a panel of bovine-hamster somatic cell hybrids. Binding to several bovine-hamster hybrid cell lines was strong (about 30-50% of that seen with bovine MDBK cells) and specific. The binding correlated uniquely with bovine syntenic group U10. In several of the hybrid lines, the ability of human IFN-alpha B to enhance the expression of endogenous MHC class I molecules correlated with the binding results. We thus conclude that the bovine IFN-alpha R structural gene (locus designation IFNAR) localizes to syntenic group U10. This group includes a number of other genes whose homologs map to human Chromosome (Chr) 21.