IFN-λ3 Polymorphism Indirectly Influences NK Cell Phenotype and Function During Acute HCV Infection

Overview

Journal Immun Inflamm Dis

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Infectious Diseases

Date 2016 Sep 14

PMID 27621819

Citations 2

Authors

Marion Depla

Sandy Pelletier

Nathalie Bedard

Camille Brunaud

Julie Bruneau

Naglaa H Shoukry

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Polymorphisms in the type III interferon IFN-λ3 and the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes controlling the activity of natural killer (NK) cells can predict spontaneous resolution of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We hypothesized that IFN-λ3 polymorphism may modulate NK cell function during acute HCV.

Methods: We monitored the plasma levels of type III IFNs in relation to the phenotype and the function of NK cells in a cohort of people who inject drugs (PWID) during acute HCV infection with different outcomes.

Results: Early acute HCV was associated with high variability in type III IFNs plasma levels and the favorable IFN-λ3 CC genotype was associated with higher viral loads. Reduced expression of Natural Killer Group Protein 2A (NKG2A) was associated with lower IFN-λ3 plasma levels and the CC genotype. IFN-γ production by NK cells was higher in individuals with the CC genotype during acute infection but this did not prevent viral persistence. IFN-λ3 plasma levels did not correlate with function of NK cells and IFN-λ3 prestimulation did not affect NK cell activation and function.

Conclusions: These results suggest that IFN-λ3 polymorphism indirectly influences NK cell phenotype and function during acute HCV but other factors may act in concert to determine the outcome of the infection.

Citing Articles

Differential expression of interferon-lambda receptor 1 splice variants determines the magnitude of the antiviral response induced by interferon-lambda 3 in human immune cells.

Santer D, Minty G, Golec D, Lu J, May J, Namdar A PLoS Pathog. 2020; 16(4):e1008515.

PMID: 32353085 PMC: 7217487. DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008515.

Type III Interferons in Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Boisvert M, Shoukry N Front Immunol. 2017; 7:628.

PMID: 28066437 PMC: 5179541. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00628.

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