Induction and antiviral activity of ferret myxovirus resistance (Mx) protein 1 against influenza A viruses.

Myxovirus resistance (Mx) proteins are products of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) and Mx proteins of different species have been reported to mediate antiviral activity against a number of viruses, including influenza A viruses (IAV). Ferrets are widely considered to represent the 'gold standard' small animal model for studying pathogenesis and immunity to human IAV infections, however little is known regarding the antiviral activity of ferret Mx proteins. Herein, we report induction of ferret (f)Mx1/2 in a ferret lung cell line and in airway tissues from IAV-infected ferrets, noting that fMx1 was induced to higher levels that fMx2 both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression confirmed cytoplasmic expression of fMx1 as well as its ability to inhibit infection and replication of IAV, noting that this antiviral effect of fMx1was modest when compared to cells overexpressing either human MxA or mouse Mx1. Together, these studies provide the first insights regarding the role of fMx1 in cell innate antiviral immunity to influenza viruses. Understanding similarities and differences in the antiviral activities of human and ferret ISGs provides critical context for evaluating results when studying human IAV infections in the ferret model.

Immune imprinting in early life shapes cross-reactivity to influenza B virus haemagglutinin.

Influenza exposures early in life are believed to shape future susceptibility to influenza infections by imprinting immunological biases that affect cross-reactivity to future influenza viruses. However, direct serological evidence linked to susceptibility is limited. Here we analysed haemagglutination-inhibition titres in 1,451 cross-sectional samples collected between 1992 and 2020, from individuals born between 1917 and 2008, against influenza B virus (IBV) isolates from 1940 to 2021. We included testing of 'future' isolates that circulated after sample collection. We show that immunological biases are conferred by early life IBV infection and result in lineage-specific cross-reactivity of a birth cohort towards future IBV isolates. This translates into differential estimates of susceptibility between birth cohorts towards the B/Yamagata and B/Victoria lineages, predicting lineage-specific birth-cohort distributions of observed medically attended IBV infections. Our data suggest that immunological measurements of imprinting could be important in modelling and predicting virus epidemiology.

Dissemination of influenza B virus to the lower respiratory tract of mice is restricted by the interferon response.

The global burden of disease caused by influenza B virus (IBV) is substantial; however, IBVs remain overlooked. Understanding host-pathogen interactions and establishing physiologically relevant models of infection are important for the development and assessment of therapeutics and vaccines against IBV. In this study, we assessed an upper respiratory tract (URT)-restricted model of mouse IBV infection, comparing it to the conventional administration of the virus to the total respiratory tract (TRT). We found that URT infections caused by different strains of IBV disseminate to the trachea but resulted in limited dissemination of IBV to the lungs. Infection of the URT did not result in weight loss or systemic inflammation even at high inoculum doses and despite robust viral replication in the nose. Dissemination of IBV to the lungs was enhanced in mice lacking functional type I IFN receptor (IFNAR2), but not IFNγ. Conversely, in mice expressing the IFN-inducible gene Mx1, we found reduced IBV replication in the lungs and reduced dissemination of IBV from the URT to the lungs. Inoculation of IBV in both the URT and TRT resulted in seroconversion against IBV. However, priming at the TRT conferred superior protection from a heterologous lethal IBV challenge compared to URT priming, as determined by improved survival rates and reduced viral replication throughout the respiratory tract. Overall, our study establishes a URT-restricted IBV infection model, highlights the critical role of IFNs in limiting dissemination of IBV to the lungs, and also demonstrates that the lack of viral replication in the lungs may impact protection from subsequent infections. IMPORTANCE: Our study investigated how influenza B virus (IBV) spreads from the nose to the lungs of mice and the impact this has on disease and protection from re-infection. We found that when applied to the nose only, IBV does not spread very efficiently to the lungs in a process controlled by the interferon response. Priming immunity at the nose only resulted in less protection from re-infection than priming immunity at both the nose and lungs. These insights can guide the development of potential therapies targeting the interferon response as well as of intranasal vaccines against IBV.

Delayed and limited administration of the JAKinib tofacitinib mitigates chronic DSS-induced colitis.

In inflammatory bowel disease, dysregulated T cells express pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using a chronic azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model resembling ulcerative colitis, we evaluated whether and when treatment with the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib could be curative. Comparing the treatment with two and three cycles of tofacitinib medication in drinking water - intermittently with DSS induction - revealed that two cycles were not only sufficient but also superior over the 3-x regimen. The two cycles of the 2-x protocol paralleled the second and third cycles of the longer protocol. T cells were less able to express interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and the serum levels of IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were significantly reduced in sera, while those of IL-10 and IL-22 increased under the 2-x protocol. Likewise, the frequency and effector phenotype of regulatory T cells (Tregs) increased. This was accompanied by normal weight gain, controlled clinical scores, and restored stool consistency. The general and histologic appearance of the colons revealed healing and tissue intactness. Importantly, two phases of tofacitinib medication completely prevented AOM-incited pseudopolyps and the hyper-proliferation of epithelia, which was in contrast to the 3-x regimen. This implies that the initial IBD-induced cytokine expression is not necessarily harmful as long as inflammatory signaling can later be suppressed and that time-restricted treatment allows for anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing cytokine activities.

Induction of Interferon-Stimulated Genes Correlates with Reduced Growth of Influenza A Virus in Lungs after RIG-I Agonist Treatment of Ferrets.

Intracellular RIG-I receptors represent key innate sensors of RNA virus infection, and RIG-I activation results in the induction of hundreds of host effector genes, including interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Synthetic RNA agonists targeting RIG-I have shown promise as antivirals against a broad spectrum of viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV), in both in vitro and mouse models of infection. Herein, we demonstrate that treatment of a ferret airway epithelial (FRL) cell line with a RIG-I agonist rapidly and potently induced expression of a broad range of ISGs and resulted in potent inhibition of growth of different IAV strains. In ferrets, a single intravenous injection of RIG-I agonist was associated with upregulated ISG expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lung tissue, but not in nasal tissues. In a ferret model of viral contact transmission, a single treatment of recipient animals 24 h prior to cohousing with IAV-infected donors did not reduce virus transmission and shedding but did result in reduced lung virus titers 6 days after treatment. A single treatment of the IAV-infected donor animals also resulted in reduced virus titers in the lungs 2 days later. Thus, a single intravenous treatment with RIG-I agonist prior to infection or to ferrets with an established IAV infection can reduce virus growth in the lungs. These findings support further development of RIG-I agonists as effective antiviral treatments to limit the impact of IAV infections, particularly in reducing virus replication in the lower airways. IMPORTANCE RIG-I agonists have shown potential as broad-spectrum antivirals in vitro and in mouse models of infection. However, their antiviral potential has not been reported in outbred animals such as ferrets, which are widely regarded as the gold standard small animal model for human IAV infections. Herein, we demonstrate that RIG-I agonist treatment of a ferret airway cell line resulted in ISG induction and inhibition of a broad range of human influenza viruses. A single intravenous treatment of ferrets also resulted in systemic induction of ISGs, including in lung tissue, and when delivered to animals prior to IAV exposure or to animals with established IAV infection treatment resulted in reduced virus replication in the lungs. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of single RIG-I treatment against IAV in the ferret model and highlight the importance of future studies to optimize treatment regimens and delivery routes to maximize their ability to ameliorate IAV infections.

Expression of a Functional Mx1 Protein Is Essential for the Ability of RIG-I Agonist Prophylaxis to Provide Potent and Long-Lasting Protection in a Mouse Model of Influenza A Virus Infection.

RIG-I is an innate sensor of RNA virus infection and its activation induces interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In vitro studies using human cells have demonstrated the ability of synthetic RIG-I agonists (3pRNA) to inhibit IAV replication. However, in mouse models of IAV the effectiveness of 3pRNA reported to date differs markedly between studies. Myxoma resistance (Mx)1 is an ISG protein which mediates potent anti-IAV activity, however most inbred mouse strains do not express a functional Mx1. Herein, we utilised C57BL/6 mice that do (B6.A2G-Mx1) and do not (B6-WT) express functional Mx1 to assess the ability of prophylactic 3pRNA treatment to induce ISGs and to protect against subsequent IAV infection. In vitro, 3pRNA treatment of primary lung cells from B6-WT and B6.A2G-Mx1 mice resulted in ISG induction however inhibition of IAV infection was more potent in cells from B6.A2G-Mx1 mice. In vivo, a single intravenous injection of 3pRNA resulted in ISG induction in lungs of both B6-WT and B6.A2G-Mx1 mice, however potent and long-lasting protection against subsequent IAV challenge was only observed in B6.A2G-Mx1 mice. Thus, despite broad ISG induction, expression of a functional Mx1 is critical for potent and long-lasting RIG-I agonist-mediated protection in the mouse model of IAV infection.

Retinoic Acid-Inducible Gene I Activation Inhibits Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Replication in Mammalian Cells and in Mouse and Ferret Models of Infection.

Infections caused by human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are associated with substantial rates of morbidity and mortality. Treatment options are limited, and there is urgent need for the development of efficient antivirals. Pattern recognition receptors such as the cytoplasmic helicase retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG) I can be activated by viral nucleic acids, leading to activation of interferon-stimulated genes and generation of an "antiviral state." In the current study, we activated RIG-I with synthetic RNA agonists (3pRNA) to induce resistance to RSV infection in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, pretreatment of human, mouse, and ferret airway cell lines with RIG-I agonist before RSV exposure inhibited virus infection and replication. Moreover, a single intravenous injection of 3pRNA 1 day before RSV infection resulted in potent inhibition of virus replication in the lungs of mice and ferrets, but not in nasal tissues. These studies provide evidence that RIG-I agonists represent a promising antiviral drug for RSV prophylaxis.