The host type I interferon (IFN) response protects against Legionella pneumophila infections. Other bacterial pathogens inhibit type I IFN-mediated cell signaling; however, the interaction between this signaling pathway and L. pneumophila has not been well described. Here, we demonstrate that L. pneumophila inhibits the IFN-β signaling pathway but does not inhibit IFN-γ-mediated cell signaling. The addition of IFN-β to L. pneumophila-infected macrophages limited bacterial growth independently of NOS2 and reactive nitrogen species. The type IV secretion system of L. pneumophila is required to inhibit IFN-β-mediated cell signaling. Finally, we show that the inhibition of the IFN-β signaling pathway occurs downstream of STAT1 and STAT2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, our findings describe a novel host cell signaling pathway inhibited by L. pneumophila via its type IV secretion system.
Keywords: Legionella pneumophila; immune evasion; interferons; nitric oxide; secretion systems.