Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Viral Infections

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid progenitors that expand in response to persistent viral antigens and inflammation, exerting potent immunosuppressive effects. Comprising two principal subsets—monocytic (M-MDSC) and polymorphonuclear (PMN-MDSC)—these cells employ mechanisms such as arginase-1 and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) activity, production of regulatory cytokines, and expression of immune checkpoints to inhibit both innate and adaptive antiviral responses. In acute infections, transient MDSC accumulation may limit tissue damage by dampening excessive inflammation, whereas chronic or oncogenic viral infections exploit sustained MDSC expansion to evade immunity, promote viral persistence and facilitate tumour development. Elevated MDSC frequencies are observed in infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, influenza and oncogenic virus-associated cancers, correlating with impaired T-cell proliferation, induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and reduced efficacy of vaccines or immunotherapies. Advances in single-cell profiling, animal models and molecular dissection have begun to unravel MDSC heterogeneity, trafficking and subset-specific functions, offering pathways to modulate these cells for improved viral clearance without exacerbating immunopathology.

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Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Viral Infections publication trend

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Technical terms

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs): A heterogeneous group of immature myeloid cells that suppress innate and adaptive immunity.

Monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSC): Subset of MDSCs resembling monocytes, characterised by IL-10 production and potent T-cell inhibitory activity.

Polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSC): Neutrophil-like subset of MDSCs, abundant in chronic infections and associated with tissue infiltration.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs): CD4+ T-cell subset that maintains immune tolerance and can be induced by MDSCs.

PD-L1: Programmed death-ligand 1, an immune checkpoint molecule that inhibits T-cell activation.

IDO1: Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1, an enzyme that depletes tryptophan to suppress T-cell function.

References

1. Deciphering the roles of myeloid derived suppressor cells in viral oncogenesis. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
2. Polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells regulates immune recovery during HIV infection through PD-L1 and TGF-β pathways. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2024).
3. Hepatitis C Virus Induces MDSCs-Like Monocytes through TLR2/PI3K/AKT/STAT3 Signaling. PLOS ONE (2017).
4. Increased MDSC Accumulation and Th2 Biased Response to Influenza A Virus Infection in the Absence of TLR7 in Mice. PLOS ONE (2011).