Primate-specific miR-576-3p sets host defense signalling threshold

Nat Commun. 2014 Sep 18:5:4963. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5963.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate viral infection, but the miRNAs that target intracellular sensors and adaptors of innate immunity have not been fully uncovered. Here we conduct an miRNA mimic screen and validation with miRNA inhibitors in cells infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to identify miRNAs that regulate viral-host interactions. We identify miR-576-3p as a robust regulator of infection by VSV and other RNA and DNA viruses. While an miR-576-3p mimic sensitizes cells to viral replication, inhibition of endogenous miR-576-3p prevents infection. miR-576-3p is induced by IRF3 concomitantly with interferon and targets STING, MAVS and TRAF3, which are critical factors for interferon expression. Interestingly, miR-576-3p and its binding sites are primate-specific and miR-576-3p levels are reduced in inflammatory diseases. These findings indicate that induction of miR-576-3p by IRF3 triggers a feedback mechanism to reduce interferon expression and set an antiviral response threshold to likely avoid excessive inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bronchi / virology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Cell Survival
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dogs
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / metabolism*
  • Interferons / metabolism
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Signal Transduction
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / metabolism
  • Vero Cells
  • Vesiculovirus / immunology*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • MAVS protein, human
  • MIRN576 microRNA, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STING1 protein, human
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3
  • TRAF3 protein, human
  • Interferons