CD4+ T cell depletion does not affect the level of viremia in chronically SHIVSF162P3N-infected Chinese cynomolgus monkeys.

Chronically SHIVSF162P3N-infected cynomolgus monkeys were used to determine the effects of the antibody-mediated acute CD4+ T cell depletion on viral load as well as on the immunological factors associated with disease progression. Compared with the control animals, CD4+ T cell-depleted animals with SHIV infection showed (i) little alteration in plasma viral load over the period of 22 weeks after the depletion; (ii) increased CD4+ T cell proliferation and turnover of macrophages at the early phase of the depletion, but subsequent decline to the basal levels; and (iii) little impact on the expression of the inflammatory cytokines and CC chemokines associated with disease progression. These findings indicate that the antibody-mediated acute CD4+ T cell depletion had minimal impact on plasma viral load and disease progression in chronically SHIVSF162P3N-infected cynomolgus monkeys. Future investigations are necessary to identify the key factor(s) related to the immune activation and macrophage infection during the CD4 deletion in chronic viral infection.

Heroin Abuse and/or HIV Infection Dysregulate Plasma Exosomal miRNAs.

Exosomes play an important role in cell-to-cell communication as they can transfer functional molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs) from one cell to another, exerting biological and immunological functions. Here, we investigated the impact of HIV infection and/or heroin use on the expression of the miRNAs in plasma exosomes. We found that HIV infection or heroin use upregulated the majority (98%) of a panel of plasma exosomal miRNAs associated with immune regulation and inflammation. We also observed the enhanced effect of HIV infection and heroin use on some of these upregulated miRNAs. Our further investigation showed that the levels of four of neuro-inflammation-related miRNAs (146a, 126, 21, and let-7a) were higher in HIV-infected heroin users as compared with the control subjects. These findings indicate that the dysregulations of the plasma exosomal miRNAs support further studies to determine the role of the miRNAs in HIV and/or heroin use-mediated immune modulation and neuro-inflammation. Graphical abstract.

Therapeutic effect of combined use of interferon alpha-1b, interleukin-2 and thalidomide on reversing minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the effect of combination regimen of interferon alpha-1b, interleukin-2 and thalidomide (ITI regimen) on minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were in hematologic remission but MRD-positive. Methods: Eighteen patients (17 from Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University and 1 from the First People's Hospital of Pingdingshan City) with AML admitted from July 2016 to June 2018, who were in hematologic remission but MRD-positive were treated with different doses of ITI regimen, and the MRD levels were monitored. Results: Among 18 patients who received a conventional dose of ITI regimen for 1 to 2 months, 7 patients had undetectable MRD, 3 had significant decrease in MRD levels, 3 had elevated MRD level and had hematologic recurrence. Three patients with elevated MRD level received a higher dose of ITI regimen, 2 of them turned to MRD negative and the other 1 patient had decreased MRD level. The total response rate was 72.2%, and the response rate in patients with MRD > 1.0% was 57.1% (4/7) , and that of patients with MRD < 1.0% was 81.8% (9/11) , respectively. Conclusion: The ITI regimen can reduce the MRD level of patient with AML who are in hematologic remission but MRD-positive. The therapeutic effect could be improved by a higher dose administration of ITI regimen, and therapeutic effect may be negatively correlated with MRD level before treatment.

Genipin inhibits oxidative stress and apoptotic damage in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To explore the effects of genipin (GEN) on high glucose (HG) -induced oxidative stress injury and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.METHODS:H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro and HG-induced injury model was established.H9c2 cells were divided into 4 groups:normal control (NC) group (glucose at 5.6 mmol/L) , HG group (glucose at 50 mmol/L) , NG+GEN group and HG+GEN group.The concentration of genipin was used at 10μmol/L.The viability of the H9c2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay.The intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined by enzyme labeling and WST-1 methods, respectively.The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell culture supernatant was detected by microplate method.Fluorescent probe DCF was used to detect intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).Nucleosome fragments was measured to evaluate cell apoptosis by ELISA.The intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 method.The protein levels of Mn-SOD, cytochrome C (Cyt C) , Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with HG group, the cell viability in HG+GEN group was increased significantly (P<0.05) , the levels of MDA and LDH were decreased (P<0.05) , SOD activity was increased (P<0.05) , the levels of ROS and nucleosome fragments in HG+GEN group were decreased (P<0.05) , and the mitochondrial membranes potential was notably increased (P<0.05).Compared with NG group, the activation of Mn-SOD was decreased, but the protein levels of Cyt C, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were increased in HG group (P<0.05).Compared with HG group, the activation of Mn-SOD was increased, and the protein levels of Cyt C, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were decreased in HG+GEN group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Genipin protects HG-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress injury and apoptosis.

IFN-λ4 inhibits HIV infection of macrophages through signalling of IFN-λR1/IL-10R2 receptor complex.

The recently discovered IFN-λ4 has been found to have antiviral activity against several viruses. However, it's unknown whether IFN-λ4 can inhibit HIV infection. Here, we show that IFN-λ4 could suppress HIV infection of macrophages. This IFN-λ4-mediated HIV inhibition was compromised by the antibodies against IFN-λ receptor complex, IFN-λR1/IL-10R2. IFN-λ4 enhanced the phosphorylation of STAT1, and induced antiviral interferon-stimulated genes. These findings indicated that IFN-λ4 can inhibit HIV via JAK/STAT signalling pathway.

Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells Release Antiviral Factors That Inhibit HIV Infection of Macrophages.

As a rich source of CD4+ T cells and macrophages, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a major target site for HIV infection. The interplay between GI-resident macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) constitutes an important element of GI innate immunity against pathogens. In this study, we investigated whether human IECs have the ability to produce antiviral factors that can inhibit HIV infection of macrophages. We demonstrated that IECs possess functional toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), the activation of which resulted in induction of key interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRF3 and IRF7), IFN-ß, IFN-λ, and CC chemokines (MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, RANTES), the ligands of HIV entry co-receptor CCR5. In addition, TLR3-activated IECs release exosomes that contained the anti-HIV factors, including IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs: ISG15, ISG56, MxB, OAS-1, GBP5, and Viperin) and HIV restriction miRNAs (miRNA-17, miRNA-20, miRNA-28, miRNA-29 family members, and miRNA-125b). Importantly, treatment of macrophages with supernatant (SN) from the activated IEC cultures inhibited HIV replication. Further studies showed that IEC SN could also induce the expression of antiviral ISGs and cellular HIV restriction factors (Tetherin and APOBEC3G/3F) in HIV-infected macrophages. These findings indicated that IECs might act as an important element in GI innate immunity against HIV infection/replication.

Soybean-derived Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) blocks HIV entry into macrophages.

Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) is a soybean-derived protease inhibitor that has anti-inflammation and anti-HIV effect. Here, we further investigated the anti-HIV action of BBI in macrophages, focusing on its effect on viral entry. We found that BBI could significantly block HIV entry into macrophages. Investigation of the mechanism(s) of the BBI action on HIV inhibition showed that BBI down-regulated the expression of CD4 receptor (as much as 80%) and induced the production of the CC chemokines (up to 60 folds at protein level) in macrophages. This inhibitory effect of BBI on HIV entry could be blocked by the neutralization antibodies to CC chemokines. These findings indicate that BBI may have therapeutic potential as a viral entry inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate enhances poly I:C-induced interferon-λ1 production and inhibits hepatitis C virus replication in hepatocytes.

AIM: To investigate the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C)-triggered intracellular innate immunity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hepatocytes. METHODS: A cell culture model of HCV infection was generated by infecting a hepatoma cell line, Huh7, with HCV JFH-1 strain (JFH-1-Huh7). Poly I:C with a high molecular weight and EGCG were used to stimulate the JFH-1-Huh7 cells. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of intracellular mRNAs and of intracellular and extracellular HCV RNA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the interferon (IFN)-λ1 protein level in the cell culture supernatant. Immunostaining was used to examine HCV core protein expression in Huh7 cells. RESULTS: Our recent study showed that HCV replication could impair poly I:C-triggered intracellular innate immune responses in hepatocytes. In the current study, we showed that EGCG treatment significantly increased the poly I:C-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), retinoic acid-inducible gene I, and IFN-λ1 in JFH-1-Huh7 cells. In addition, supplementation with EGCG increased the poly I:C-mediated antiviral activity in JFH-1-Huh7 cells at the intracellular and extracellular HCV RNA and protein levels. Further investigation of the mechanisms showed that EGCG treatment significantly enhanced the poly I:C-induced expression of IFN-regulatory factor 9 and several antiviral IFN-stimulated genes, including ISG15, ISG56, myxovirus resistance A, and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1, which encode the key antiviral elements in the IFN signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Our observations provide experimental evidence that EGCG has the ability to enhance poly I:C-induced intracellular antiviral innate immunity against HCV replication in hepatocytes.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Inhibits Macaque SEVI-Mediated Enhancement of SIV or SHIV Infection.

BACKGROUND: Human semen contains a factor that can enhance HIV infection up to 10-fold in cultures. This factor is termed semen-derived enhancer of virus infection (SEVI) and is composed of proteolytic fragments (PAP248-286) from prostatic acid phosphatase in semen. In this study, we examined whether macaque SEVI can facilitate simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection. We also studied the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on macaque SEVI-mediated SIV or SHIV enhancement. METHODS: SIV or SHIV was mixed with different concentrations of macaque SEVI in the presence or absence of EGCG. The mixture was added to cultures of TZM-bl cells or macaque PBMCs. The effect of EGCG on macaque SEVI was measured by Congo-red staining assay and thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay and was visualized by a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: We identified that there is one amino acid difference at the site of 277 between human PAP248-286 and macaque PAP248-286. Macaque SEVI significantly enhanced SIV or SHIV infection of TZM-bl cells and macaque PBMCs. EGCG could block macaque SEVI-mediated enhancement of SIV or SHIV infection. Mechanistically, EGCG could degrade the formation of macaque SEVI amyloid fibrils that facilitates HIV attachment to the target cells. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that macaque SEVI could enhance SIV or SHIV infection indicates the possibility to use the macaque SEVI in vivo studies with the macaque models. In addition, future studies are necessary to examine whether EGCG can be used as an effective microbicide for preventing SIV or SHIV mucosal transmission.

IFN-λ Inhibits Drug-Resistant HIV Infection of Macrophages.

Type III interferons (IFN-λs) have been demonstrated to inhibit a number of viruses, including HIV. Here, we further examined the anti-HIV effect of IFN-λs in macrophages. We found that IFN-λs synergistically enhanced anti-HIV activity of antiretrovirals [azidothymidine (AZT), efavirenz, indinavir, and enfuvirtide] in infected macrophages. Importantly, IFN-λs could suppress HIV infection of macrophages with the drug-resistant strains, including AZT-resistant virus (A012) and reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant virus (TC49). Mechanistically, IFN-λs were able to induce the expression of several important anti-HIV cellular factors, including myxovirus resistance 2 (Mx2), a newly identified HIV post-entry inhibitor and tetherin, a restriction factor that blocks HIV release from infected cells. These observations provide additional evidence to support the potential use of IFN-λs as therapeutics agents for the treatment of HIV infection.

Soybean-derived Bowman-Birk Inhibitor (BBI) Inhibits HIV Replication in Macrophages.

The Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), a soybean-derived protease inhibitor, is known to have anti-inflammatory effect in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Macrophages play a key role in inflammation and immune activation, which is implicated in HIV disease progression. Here, we investigated the effect of BBI on HIV infection of peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages. We demonstrated that BBI could potently inhibit HIV replication in macrophages without cytotoxicity. Investigation of the mechanism(s) of BBI action on HIV showed that BBI induced the expression of IFN-ß and multiple IFN stimulated genes (ISGs), including Myxovirus resistance protein 2 (Mx2), 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS-1), Virus inhibitory protein (viperin), ISG15 and ISG56. BBI treatment of macrophages also increased the expression of several known HIV restriction factors, including APOBEC3F, APOBEC3G and tetherin. Furthermore, BBI enhanced the phosphorylation of IRF3, a key regulator of IFN-ß. The inhibition of IFN-ß pathway by the neutralization antibody to type I IFN receptor (Anti-IFNAR) abolished BBI-mediated induction of the anti-HIV factors and inhibition of HIV in macrophages. These findings that BBI could activate IFN-ß-mediated signaling pathway, initialize the intracellular innate immunity in macrophages and potently inhibit HIV at multiple steps of viral replication cycle indicate the necessity to further investigate BBI as an alternative and cost-effective anti-HIV natural product.

Toll-like receptor 3-activated macrophages confer anti-HCV activity to hepatocytes through exosomes.

Exosomes are a class of cell-released small vesicles that mediate intercellular communication by delivering functional factors to recipient cells. During hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the interaction between liver resident macrophages and hepatocytes is a key component in liver innate immunity. In this study, we explored the role of exosomes in the delivery of innate anti-HCV factors to hepatocytes from macrophages. We showed that supernatant from TLR3-activated macrophage cultures could efficiently inhibit HCV replication in Huh7 cells. This macrophage-mediated anti-HCV activity was through exosomes because inhibiting exosomes could abrogate the action of macrophages. Further analyses demonstrated that TLR3-activated macrophages release exosomes that contain anti-HCV microRNA (miRNA)-29 family members. Inhibiting miRNA29 could restore HCV replication. These findings suggest a novel antiviral mechanism in liver innate immunity against HCV infection and provide insights to support further studies on developing exosome-based delivery system for disease treatment.-Zhou, Y., Wang, X., Sun, L., Zhou, L., Ma, T.-C., Song, L., Wu, J.-G., Li, J.-L., Ho, W.-Z. Toll-like receptor 3-activated macrophages confer anti-HCV activity to hepatocytes through exosomes.

Exosomes contribute to the transmission of anti-HIV activity from TLR3-activated brain microvascular endothelial cells to macrophages.

Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), the major cell type in the blood-brain barrier (BBB), play a key role in maintaining brain homeostasis. However, their role in the BBB innate immunity against HIV invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) remains to be determined. Our early work showed that TLR3 signaling of HBMECs could produce the antiviral factors that inhibit HIV replication in macrophages. The present study examined whether exosomes from TLR3-activated HBMECs mediate the intercellular transfer of antiviral factors to macrophages. Primary human macrophages could take up exosomes from TLR3-activated HBMECs. HBMECs-derived exosomes contained multiple antiviral factors, including several key IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs; ISG15, ISG56, and Mx2) at mRNA and protein levels. The depletion of exosomes from TLR3-activated HBMECs culture supernatant diminished HBMECs-mediated anti-HIV activity in macrophages. In conclusion, we demonstrate that exosomes shed by HBMECs are able to transport the antiviral molecules to macrophages. This finding suggests the possibility that HIV nonpermissive BBB cells (HBMECs) can help to restore the antiviral state in HIV-infected macrophages, which may be a defense mechanism against HIV neuroinvasion.

SIV Infection Impairs the Central Nervous System in Chinese Rhesus Macaques.

The central nervous system (CNS) impairment is a consequence seen in SIV infection of rhesus macaques of Indian-origin, which is more common in infected macaques with rapid disease progression than in those with conventional disease progression. Here, we investigated the CNS damages in SIVmac239-infected Chinese rhesus macaques. We demonstrated that SIV infection of Chinese macaques could cause neuropathological impairments, which was evidenced by appearance of SIV-RNA positive cells, the infiltration of activated macrophages and abundant multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) in the different regions of the brains. The animals with high viremia and short survival time (average of 16 weeks, rapid progression, RP) had severer neuropathological changes than those with conventional progression (CP). As compared with the RP animals, CP macaques had lower viremia and much longer survival time (average of 154 weeks). These findings indicate that SIVmac239 infection of Chinese rhesus macaque can be used as a suitable animal model and alternative resource for nueroAIDS research.

Neuroprotective Activity of (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate against Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Cytotoxicity.

Lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) mediated systemic inflammation plays a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major component in green tea, on LPS-mediated inflammation and neurotoxicity. LPS treatment of macrophages induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6). However, EGCG pretreatment of macrophages significantly inhibited LPS-mediated induction of these cytokines. In addition, EGCG significantly diminished LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs). Supernatant from EGCG-pretreated and LPS-activated macrophage cultures was found to be less cytotoxic to neurons than that from non-EGCG-pretreated and LPS-activated macrophage cultures. Furthermore, EGCG treatment of neurons could inhibit LPS-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus EGCG represents a potent and useful neuroprotective agent for inflammation-mediated neurological disorders.

SIV Infection Facilitates Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection of Rhesus Macaques.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common opportunistic infection and the leading cause of death for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Thus, it is necessary to understand the pathogenetic interactions between M.tb and HIV infection. In this study, we examined M.tb and/or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of Chinese rhesus macaques. While there was little evidence that M.tb enhanced SIV infection of macaques, SIV could facilitate M.tb infection as demonstrated by X-rays, pathological and microbiological findings. Chest X-rays showed that co-infected animals had disseminated lesions in both left and right lungs, while M.tb mono-infected animals displayed the lesions only in right lungs. Necropsy of co-infected animals revealed a disseminated M.tb infection not only in the lungs but also in the extrapulmonary organs including spleen, pancreas, liver, kidney, and heart. The bacterial counts in the lungs, the bronchial lymph nodes, and the extrapulmonary organs of co-infected animals were significantly higher than those of M.tb mono-infected animals. The mechanistic studies demonstrated that two of three co-infected animals had lower levels of M.tb specific IFN-γ and IL-22 in PBMCs than M.tb mono-infected animals. These findings suggest that Chinese rhesus macaque is a suitable and alternative non-human primate model for SIV/M.tb coinfection studies. The impairment of the specific anti-TB immunity is likely to be a contributor of SIV-mediated enhancement M.tb infection.

Short Communication: HIV-1 Infection Suppresses Circulating Viral Restriction microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in host innate immunity against HIV-1 infection. We examined the impact of HIV-1 infection on viral restriction miRNAs in plasma of HIV-1-infected subjects. HIV-1-infected subjects had significantly lower plasma levels of HIV-1 restriction miRNAs (miRs-29a, -29b, -125b, -223, -198, and -382) than control subjects. Further in vitro studies showed that HIV-1 infection of macrophages suppressed production of the extracellular miRs-29b, -125b, and -223. These data demonstrate the compelling evidence that HIV-1 infection impairs host innate immunity by inhibiting antiviral miRNAs, which provide a possible mechanism for HIV-1 persistence in the host.

Heroin inhibits HIV-restriction miRNAs and enhances HIV infection of macrophages.

Although opioids have been extensively studied for their impact on the immune system, limited information is available about the specific actions of opioids on intracellular antiviral innate immunity against HIV infection. Thus, we investigated whether heroin, one of the most abused drugs, inhibits the expression of intracellular HIV restriction microRNA (miRNA) and facilitates HIV replication in macrophages. Heroin treatment of macrophages enhanced HIV replication, which was associated with the downregulation of several HIV restriction miRNAs. These heroin-mediated actions on the miRNAs and HIV could be antagonized by naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist. Furthermore, the in vitro negative impact of heroin on HIV-associated miRNAs was confirmed by the in vivo observation that heroin addicts had significantly lower levels of macrophage-derived HIV restriction miRNAs than those in the control subjects. These in vitro and in vivo findings indicate that heroin use compromises intracellular anti-HIV innate immunity, providing a favorable microenvironment for HIV survival in the target cells.

Induction of interferon-λ contributes to TLR3 and RIG-I activation-mediated inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 2 replication in human cervical epithelial cells.

STUDY HYPOTHESIS: Is it possible to immunologically activate human cervical epithelial cells to produce antiviral factors that inhibit herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) replication? STUDY FINDING: Our results indicate that human cervical epithelial cells possess a functional TLR3/RIG-I signaling system, the activation of which can mount an Interferon-λ (IFN-λ)-mediated anti-HSV-2 response. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: There is limited information about the role of cervical epithelial cells in genital innate immunity against HSV-2 infection. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS: We examined the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible I (RIG-I) in End1/E6E7 cells by real-time PCR. The IFN-λ induced by TLR3 and RIG-I activation of End1/E6E7 cells was also examined by real-time PCR and ELISA. HSV-2 infection of End1/E6E7 cells was evaluated by the real-time PCR detection of HSV-2 gD expression. The antibody to IL-10Rß was used to determine whether IFN-λ contributes to TLR3/RIG-I mediated HSV-2 inhibition. Expression of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), IRF7, IFN-stimulated gene 56 (ISG56), 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase I (OAS-1) and myxovirus resistance A (MxA) were determined by the real-time PCR and western blot. End1/E6E7 cells were transfected with shRNA to knockdown the IRF3, IRF7 or RIG-I expression. Student's t-test and post Newman-Keuls test were used to analyze stabilized differences in the immunological parameters above between TLR3/RIG-I-activated cells and control cells. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Human cervical epithelial cells expressed functional TLR3 and RIG-I, which could be activated by poly I:C and 5'ppp double-strand RNAs (5'ppp dsRNA), resulting in the induction of endogenous interferon lambda (IFN-λ). The induced IFN-λ contributed to TLR3/RIG-I-mediated inhibition of HSV-2 replication in human cervical epithelial cells, as an antibody to IL-10Rß, an IFN-λ receptor subunit, could compromise TLR3/RIG-I-mediated inhibition of HSV-2. Further studies showed that TLR3/RIG-I signaling in the cervical epithelial cells by dsRNA induced the expression of the IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), ISG56, 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase I (OAS-1) and myxovirus resistance A (MxA), the key antiviral elements in the IFN signaling pathway. In addition, we observed that the topical treatment of genital mucosa with poly I:C could protect mice from genital HSV-2 infection. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Future prospective studies with primary cells and suitable animal models are needed in order to confirm these outcomes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The findings provide direct and compelling evidence that there is intracellular expression and regulation of IFN-λ in human cervical epithelial cells, which may have a key role in the innate genital protection against viral infections. LARGE SCALE DATA: Not applicable. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81301428 to L.Z. and 81271334 to W.-Z.H.), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2042015kf0188 to L.Z.), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2013M531745 to L.Z.), the Development Program of China ('973', 2012CB518900 to W.-Z.H.) from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, grants (DA12815 and DA022177 to W.-Z.H.) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the open project of Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research (WDCM005 to M.S.). The authors declare no competing financial interests.