ZIKV induction of tristetraprolin in endothelial and Sertoli cells post-transcriptionally inhibits IFNβ/λ expression and promotes ZIKV persistence

Our findings define a novel role for ZIKV-induced TTP expression in regulating IFNβ/IFNλ production in primary hBMECs and Sertoli cells. These cells comprise key physiological barriers subverted by ZIKV to access brain and testicular compartments and serve as reservoirs for persistent replication an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:mBio 2023-10, Vol.14 (5), p.e0174223
Main Authors: Schutt, William R, Conde, Jonas N, Mladinich, Megan C, Himmler, Grace E, Mackow, Erich R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
endothelial cells
interferon regulation
persistence
Research Article
Sertoli cells
tristetraprolin
Virology
Zika virus
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Summary:Our findings define a novel role for ZIKV-induced TTP expression in regulating IFNβ/IFNλ production in primary hBMECs and Sertoli cells. These cells comprise key physiological barriers subverted by ZIKV to access brain and testicular compartments and serve as reservoirs for persistent replication and dissemination. We demonstrate for the first time that the ARE-binding protein TTP is virally induced and post-transcriptionally regulates IFNβ/IFNλ secretion. In ZIKV-infected hBMEC and Sertoli cells, TTP knockout increased IFNβ/IFNλ secretion, while TTP expression blocked IFNβ/IFNλ secretion. The TTP-directed blockade of IFN secretion permits ZIKV spread and persistence in hBMECs and Sertoli cells and may similarly augment ZIKV spread across IFNλ-protected placental barriers. Our work highlights the importance of post-transcriptional ZIKV regulation of IFN expression and secretion in cells that regulate viral access to protected compartments and defines a novel mechanism of ZIKV-regulated IFN responses which may facilitate neurovirulence and sexual transmission.
ISSN:2150-7511
2150-7511
DOI:10.1128/mbio.01742-23