Interferonß-1b Induces the Expression of RGS1 a Negative Regulator of G-Protein Signaling.

ABSTRACT

We present evidence of a link between interferonß-1b (IFN-ß) and G-protein signaling by demonstrating that IFN-ß can induce the expression of the negative regulator of G-protein signaling 1 (RGS1). RGS1 reduces G-protein activation and immune cell migration by interacting with heterotrimeric G-proteins and enhancing their intrinsic GTPase activity. In this study, IFN-ß treatment resulted in the induction of RGS1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocytes, T cells, and B cells. Induction of RGS1 by IFN-ß was concentration dependent and observed at both the RNA and protein level. Other members of the RGS family were not induced by IFN-ß, and induction of RGS1 required the activation of the IFN receptor. In addition, RGS1 induction was observed in PBMCs obtained from IFN-ß-treated multiple sclerosis patients suggesting a possible, as yet unexplored, involvement of G-protein regulation in disease treatment. The upregulation of RGS1 by IFN-ß has not been previously reported.