Interferon-induced expression of MxA in the respiratory tract of rhesus macaques is suppressed by influenza virus replication

J Immunol. 2008 Feb 15;180(4):2385-95. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.4.2385.

Abstract

To determine the relationship between influenza A virus replication and innate antiviral immune responses, rhesus monkeys were given oseltamivir before influenza A/Memphis/7/01 (H1N1) challenge. We found that oseltamivir treatment significantly reduced viral replication in the trachea (p < 0.029). Further, in the trachea of both treated and untreated monkeys the mRNA levels of most innate antiviral molecules in the IFN-alphabeta pathway were dramatically increased by 24 h postinfection. However, the mRNA level of a single IFN-stimulated gene, MxA (myxovirus resistance A), the IFN-stimulated gene known to be critical in blocking influenza virus replication, was significantly lower in the tracheal lavages of untreated monkeys than in the oseltamivir-treated monkeys (p = 0.05). These results demonstrate for the first time that uncontrolled influenza A virus replication actively suppresses MxA gene expression and emphasize the critical role of innate immunity in controlling influenza virus replication in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Body Temperature
  • Cell Line
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Interferons / physiology*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Trachea / immunology
  • Trachea / metabolism*
  • Trachea / virology*
  • Virus Replication / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • MX1 protein, human
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Interferons
  • GTP-Binding Proteins