Molecular Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Chicken IFN -λ

Abstract

Interferons (IFN) provide a critical first line of defense against viral infection in vertebrates. Moreover, IFN-lambda, a recently identified group of mammalian IFN, has demonstrated antiviral potential in the treatment of mammalian viruses. With the growing concern over such diseases as avian influenza (AI), there is a pressing need for new antiviral strategies to manage problem viruses in poultry. Furthermore, the use of immune molecules, such as IFN-lambda, provides an attractive option for treating poultry by augmenting the host response to virus. With this in mind, we report here the first cloning, expression, and analysis of biologic activity of chicken IFN-lambda (ChIFN-lambda). We compared the similarity of ChIFN-lambda to those identified in other species and demonstrate that ChIFN-lambda has antiviral properties similar to those of human IFN-lambda (HuIFN-lambda). Our results demonstrate that in the chicken, as in human, the antiviral activity demonstrated by ChIFN-lambda supports its inclusion in therapeutic strategies directed against viral infections.

Antiviral Activity of Lambda Interferon in Chickens

“…In contrast, chIFN-had only very mild inhibitory effects on these viruses (Fig. 1), in agreement with previous observations of other groups (17).…”

“…In addition to the type I IFNs, a single gene for chicken IFN-(chIFN-) has been described, and its product was shown to trigger a moderate antiviral response in the chicken macrophage cell line HD11 and in primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF) (17). A more recent report indicated that stimulation of CEFs with recombinant chIFN-induces ISGs in a temporal pattern distinct from that of type I IFNs (18).…”

Biological Effects of Chicken Type III Interferon on Expression of Interferon-Stimulated Genes in Chickens: Comparison with Type I and Type II Interferons

“…In contrast, human keratinocytes and hepatocytes, which expressed soluble IFNLR1 mRNA at much lower levels compared with PBMCs, responded to IFN-λ1. A previous report revealed that chicken IFN-β could induce a significant increase in the mRNA expression of an ISG, TLR3, in chicken splenic mononuclear cells [12]. Soluble IFNLR1 may possibly inhibit the response to IFN-λ in certain cell types in chickens.…”

“…A type III IFN, IFN-λ was recently identified in vertebrates. In birds, chicken IFN-λ was cloned previously, and its antiviral activity was reported [12]. However, most of the biological properties of chicken IFN-λ has not yet been clarified.…”

“…In birds, type I (IFN-α and IFN-β) and type II (IFN-γ) IFNs were identified previously, and several studies that have investigated their biological effects including antiviral properties have been reported [17]. In contrast, one avian type III IFN, chicken IFN-λ, was cloned recently [12]. Chicken IFN-λ has been reported to inhibit the replication of avian influenza A virus in cultured cells.…”