Hepatitis A virus-induced hsa-miR-146a-5p attenuates IFN-β signaling by targeting adaptor protein TRAF6

Arch Virol. 2021 Mar;166(3):789-799. doi: 10.1007/s00705-021-04952-z. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV), a unique hepatotropic human picornavirus, is the causative agent of acute hepatitis A in humans. Some studies have shown that HAV antagonizes the innate immune response by disrupting interferon-beta (IFN-β) signaling by viral proteins. However, whether microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are involved in the antagonism of IFN-β induction upon HAV infection is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms by which HAV-induced miRNAs antagonize IFN-β signaling. A variety of analytical methods, including miRNA microarray, RT-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and Western blotting, were performed using HAV-infected cells. The results indicated that HAV infection upregulates the expression of hsa-miR-146a-5p, which in turn partially suppresses the induction of IFN-β synthesis, thereby promoting viral replication. Mechanistically, TRAF6 (TNF receptor-associated factor 6), a key adaptor protein in the RIG-I/MDA5-mediated IFN-I signaling pathway, is targeted and degraded by hsa-miR-146a-5p. As TRAF6 is necessary for IFN-β induction, inhibition of this protein attenuates IFN-β signaling. Taken together, the results from this study indicated that HAV disrupts RIG-I/MDA5-mediated IFN-I signaling partially through the cleavage of the essential adaptor molecule TRAF6 via hsa-miR-146a-5p.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hepatitis A / pathology
  • Hepatitis A Virus, Human / genetics
  • Hepatitis A Virus, Human / growth & development*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • IFNG protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MIRN146 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Tifab protein, human
  • Interferon-gamma