Interferons articles from across Nature Portfolio

Genetic variants of TREX1, a negative regulator of type I interferon responses, have been linked previously to non-monogenic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here the authors analyze UK Biobank multi-omics data to show that, while a derived oligoprotein interferon signature associates with increased SLE risk, TREX1 variants do not.

Bacteria can infect tumour cells which may affect the biological characteristics of the tumour or even the therapeutic outcome. Here authors show that Stenotrophomonas, upon entering tumour cells, trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress, leading to STING degradation and inhibition of MHC-II⁺ macrophages, which ultimately cause tumour progression and immunotherapy resistance.

Immune cells and their functions are regulated at multiple levels, including their metabolism. The authors map the energetic state of individual T cells by SPICEMet, a method that allows precise measurement of ATP:ADP ratio, to find that anatomic location and circadian rhythm regulate their energetic charge via glucose availability.

The type I interferon response is suppressed during early development, making embryos susceptible to pathogens. Here, the authors show that this suppression contributes to normal development by preventing an aberrant immune response against endogenous double stranded RNAs.

Anti-malarial immune responses involve type I IFN responses and innate immune pathways. Here the authors show the palmitoylation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a kinase which promotes the type I IFN pathway, is disrupted in malaria infection and that this disruption leads to less effective anti-malarial responses.

Viruses generally have compact genomes, resulting in many viral mRNAs with short 5’ untranslated regions. An antiviral complex exploits this feature of viral mRNAs to selectively inhibit viral protein synthesis and repress viral replication.

Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in PLD4, as identified in five patients with SLE, lead to Toll-like receptor-driven hyperactivation of type I interferon, immune cell expansion and autoimmunity.

Basal innate immunity with enhanced innate immune activation and response in a bat reservoir of Marburg virus underlies viral tolerance and zoonotic potential.

A new study reveals a surprising mechanism by which itaconate inhibits the active site of a peroxiredoxin enzyme to amplify redox signalling and the type I interferon response in macrophages.

A preprint by Farias et al. shows that the type I interferon response to respiratory syncytial virus infection reduces lung metastasis of breast cancer in a mouse model.

A preprint by Mroz et al. reports a role for IFNgamma in protecting against seizures after traumatic brain injury.