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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

Published on: March 24, 2015

IFN-lambda determines the intestinal epithelial antiviral host defense.

Johanna Pott¹, Tanel Mahlakõiv, Markus Mordstein

¹Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|April 27, 2011

Summary

Type III interferon (IFN-λ) plays a critical role in controlling rotavirus infection in the gut. Unlike type I interferon, IFN-λ effectively protects intestinal epithelial cells, highlighting its importance in mucosal antiviral defense.

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Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

Area of Science:

Immunology
Virology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Type I and type III interferons (IFNs) signal through distinct receptors but converge on similar downstream pathways to induce antiviral responses.
Type III IFN (IFN-λ) is primarily associated with mucosal immunity, yet its specific in vivo functions remain unclear.
Type I IFNs were previously thought to dominate intestinal antiviral defense due to widespread receptor expression.

Purpose of the Study:

To comparatively investigate the roles of IFN-λ and type I IFN signaling in the innate immune response to rotavirus infection in vivo.
To determine the impact of functional IFN receptor signaling on viral replication and antiviral gene expression at the cellular level within the intestine.

Main Methods:

Analysis of rotavirus infection in mice lacking functional receptors for either IFN-λ or type I IFN.
Assessment of viral replication and Mx1 protein accumulation (an IFN response marker) in intestinal tissues.
Evaluation of the efficacy of systemic IFN-λ and type I IFN treatments in controlling rotavirus infection.

Main Results:

Mice deficient in IFN-λ receptors showed impaired control of rotavirus infection, while those lacking type I IFN receptors did not differ from wild-type mice.
Intestinal epithelial cells, the primary rotavirus targets, exhibited strong IFN-λ responsiveness but weak type I IFN responsiveness in vivo.
Systemic administration of IFN-λ, but not type I IFN, effectively suppressed rotavirus replication in the gut.

Conclusions:

IFN-λ signaling is essential for effective antiviral defense in the intestinal epithelium against rotavirus.
This study identifies a critical and non-redundant role for IFN-λ in mucosal innate immunity.
IFN-λ represents a key therapeutic target for intestinal viral infections.