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Lambda interferon inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of macrophages

Wei Hou1, Xu Wang, Li Ye

  • 1Division of Allergy & Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 34th Street & Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Journal of Virology
|February 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Type III interferon (IFN-lambda) inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in macrophages. This antiviral activity involves both extracellular and intracellular mechanisms, suggesting therapeutic potential for HIV-1 infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Type III interferon (IFN-lambda) is a newly identified cytokine with broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infects macrophages, a critical cell type in viral replication and pathogenesis.
  • Understanding novel antiviral mechanisms is crucial for developing effective HIV-1 therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antiviral potential of type III interferon (IFN-lambda) against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in macrophages.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which IFN-lambda inhibits HIV-1 infection and replication.

Main Methods:

  • Blood monocyte-derived macrophages expressing IFN-lambda receptors were cultured.
  • Macrophages were treated with IFN-lambda1 or IFN-lambda2 and subsequently infected with HIV-1.
  • HIV-1 infection, replication, CCR5 expression, CC chemokine induction, and intracellular APOBEC3G/3F expression were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • IFN-lambda1 and IFN-lambda2 significantly inhibited HIV-1 infection and replication in macrophages.
  • The antiviral effect was observed against both laboratory-adapted and clinical HIV-1 strains.
  • IFN-lambda induced CC chemokines and upregulated intracellular APOBEC3G/3F, while having minimal effect on CCR5 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Type III interferon (IFN-lambda) possesses broad-spectrum anti-HIV-1 activity in macrophages.
  • IFN-lambda inhibits HIV-1 replication through both extracellular (chemokine induction) and intracellular (APOBEC3G/3F upregulation) antiviral mechanisms.
  • These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of IFN-lambda for treating HIV-1 infection.

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