CCR2 Signaling Selectively Regulates IFN-α: Role of β-Arrestin 2 in IFNAR1 Internalization

Abstract

An integral component of the antiviral response, Type I IFNs require regulation to modulate immune activation. We identify β-arrestin 2 as a key modulator of Type I IFN in primary human macrophages, an essential component of the innate immune response. β-arrestin 2 was selectively activated by CCL2/CCR2 signaling, which induced a decrease in IFN-α, but not IFN-β expression. siRNA knockdown of β-arrestin 2 demonstrated its role in IFNAR1 internalization, as well as STAT1 and IRF3 activation. As a result, cytokine responses were not propagated following HIV infection and TLR3 activation. However, remnants of IFN signaling remained intact, despite β-arrestin 2 activation, as IFN-β, IFN-γ, IFN-λ1, IRF7, TRAIL, and MxA expression were sustained. Similar effects of β-arrestin 2 on IFN signaling occurred in hepatocytes, suggesting that arrestins may broadly modulate IFN responses in multiple cell types. In summary, we identify a novel role of β-arrestin 2 as an integral regulator of Type I IFN through its internalization of IFNAR1 and a subsequent selective loss of downstream IFN signaling.

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