Hes1 attenuates type I IFN responses via VEGF-C and WDFY1. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Induction of type I interferons (IFNs) is critical for eliciting competent immune responses, especially antiviral immunity. However, uncontrolled IFN production contributes to pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We found that transcription factor Hes1 suppressed production of type I IFNs and expression of IFN-stimulated genes. Functionally, Hes1-deficient mice displayed a heightened IFN signature in vivo, mounted enhanced resistance against encephalomyocarditis virus infection, and showed signs of exacerbated experimental lupus nephritis. Mechanistically, Hes1 did not suppress IFNs via direct transcriptional repression of IFN-encoding genes. Instead, Hes1 attenuated activation of TLR upstream signaling by inhibition of an adaptor molecule, WDFY1. Genome-wide assessment of Hes1 occupancy revealed that suppression of WDFY1 was secondary to direct binding and thus enhancement of expression of VEGF-C by Hes1, making Vegfc a rare example of an Hes1 positively regulated gene. In summary, these results identified Hes1 as a homeostatic negative regulator of type I IFNs for the maintenance of immune balance in the context of antiviral immunity and autoimmune diseases.

publication date

  • April 23, 2019

Research

keywords

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Interferon Type I
  • Transcription Factor HES-1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC6547865

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85067218281

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.01.013

PubMed ID

  • 31015298

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 216

issue

  • 6