Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) and their cognate receptor, the IFNAR1/2 heterodimer, are critical components of the innate immune system in humans. They have been widely explored in the context of viral infection and autoimmune disease where they play key roles in protection against infection or shaping disease pathogenesis. A false dichotomy has emerged in the study of IFN-I where interferons are thought of as either beneficial or pathogenic. This ‘good or bad’ viewpoint excludes more nuanced interpretations of IFN-I biology - for example, it is known that IFN-I is associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus, yet is also protective in the context of infectious diseases and contributes to resistance to viral infection. Studies have suggested that a shared transcriptomic signature underpins both potential resistance to viral infection and susceptibility to autoimmune disease. This seems to be particularly evident in females, who exhibit increased viral resistance and increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease. The molecular mechanisms behind such a signature and the role of sex in its determination have yet to be precisely defined. From a genomic perspective, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IFN-I pathway have been associated with both infectious and autoimmune disease. While overlap between infection and autoimmunity has been described in the incidence of these SNPs, it has been overlooked in work and discussion to date. Here, we discuss the possible contributions of IFN-Is to the pathogenesis of infectious and autoimmune diseases. We comment on genetic associations between common SNPs in IFN-I or their signalling molecules that point towards roles in protection against viral infection and susceptibility to autoimmunity and propose that a shared transcriptomic and genomic immunological signature may underlie resistance to viral infection and susceptibility to autoimmunity in humans. We believe that defining shared transcriptomic and genomic immunological signatures underlying resistance to viral infection and autoimmunity in humans will reveal new therapeutic targets and improved vaccine strategies, particularly in females.
Highlights
Type I interferons (IFN-I) are highly conserved key players in innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses
We briefly outline the roles of IFN-I in viral infection and autoimmunity and point towards variation in the genes that code for components of the IFN-I system that is associated with both protection against viral infection and susceptibility to autoimmunity. We propose that these genetic variants contribute to a shared transcriptomic and genomic signature that may underlie resistance to viral infection and autoimmunity in humans
The prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IFN-I pathway associated with both autoimmune diseases and viral resistance discussed throughout this review varies widely between populations
Summary
Type I interferons (IFN-I) are highly conserved key players in innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. IFN-Is are activated by the innate immune system immediately on detection of a threat, when a virus is sensed This rapid and robust IFN-I immune response which activates and regulates a wide range of biological mechanisms, is required for successful early control of viral infection and is crucial for the activation of long lasting and more specific adaptive immune responses [2]. IFN-I exerts both antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on cells in order to limit viral replication While it appears that different viruses can upregulate various modules of IRGs, activation of IFN-Is and subsequent signalling appears to be largely similar [5]. Susceptibility to autoimmunity is variable, and the disease course of individuals with autoimmune disease is often heterogeneous [36]
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