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Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses

Published on: November 16, 2016

Interferon lambda 4 is a gut antimicrobial protein.

Xun Xiao^1,2, Jinting Wang^1,2, Jun Ma^1,2

¹National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.

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

|October 22, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Newly identified interferon lambda 4 (IFNλ4) acts as an antibacterial protein in the gut. It agglutinates and kills bacteria by forming nanoparticles, revealing a noncanonical role in intestinal immunity.

Keywords:

IFNλ4 bacterial aggregation microbial killing self-assembled type III interferon

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

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Last Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses

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Published on: November 16, 2016

Imaging of In Situ Interferon Gamma Production in the Mouse Spleen following Listeria monocytogenes Infection

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Published on: July 16, 2019

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

Area of Science:

Immunology
Microbiology
Biochemistry

Background:

Mammalian gut immunity relies on antimicrobial proteins to combat microbial challenges.
Type III interferons (IFNλs) are typically known as inducible antiviral cytokines.
The specific role of IFNλ4 in intestinal immunity remained largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the function of the newly identified IFNλ4 in the mammalian gut.
To determine if IFNλ4 possesses antimicrobial properties distinct from other IFNλs.
To elucidate the mechanism by which IFNλ4 interacts with and neutralizes bacteria.

Main Methods:

Quantification of natural IFNλ4 in the intestinal secretory layer of piglets.
Biochemical assays to assess bacterial agglutination and direct microbial killing.
Mechanistic studies involving lipopolysaccharide binding, nanoparticle formation, and membrane interaction.

Main Results:

Significant amounts of natural IFNλ4 were found in the intestinal secretory layer of healthy piglets.
IFNλ4 demonstrated potent antibacterial functions, including bacterial agglutination and direct killing.
IFNλ4 binds to lipopolysaccharide, self-assembles into nanoparticles, and disrupts bacterial membranes.

Conclusions:

IFNλ4 functions as a noncanonical antibacterial protein in the intestinal tract.
Its unique mechanism involves nanoparticle formation and direct bacterial membrane destruction.
IFNλ4 plays a crucial role in intestinal immunity beyond traditional cytokine signaling.