Interferon-dependent signaling is critical for viral clearance in airway neutrophils.

Abstract

Neutrophilic inflammation characterizes several respiratory viral infections including COVID-19-related ARDS, although its contribution to disease pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Blood and airway immune cells from 52 severe COVID-19 subjects were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Samples and clinical data were collected at two separate time points to assess changes during ICU stay. Blockade of type I interferon and IFIT3 signaling was performed in vitro to determine their contribution to viral clearance in A2 neutrophils. We identified two neutrophil subpopulations (A1 and A2) in the airway compartment, where loss of the A2 subset correlated with increased viral burden and reduced 30-days survival. A2 neutrophils showcased a discrete antiviral response with an increased interferon signature. Blockade of type I interferon attenuated viral clearance in A2 neutrophils and downregulated IFIT3 and key catabolic genes, demonstrating direct antiviral neutrophil function. Knockdown of IFIT3 in A2 neutrophils led to loss of IRF3 phosphorylation with consequent reduced viral catabolism, providing the first discrete mechanism of type I interferon signaling in neutrophils. The identification of this novel neutrophil phenotype and its association with severe COVID-19 outcomes emphasizes its likely importance in other respiratory viral infections and potential for new therapeutic approaches in viral illness.