Intestinal antiviral signaling is controlled by autophagy gene Epg5 independent of the microbiota

  • Sanghyun Lee
  • , Gowri Kalugotla
  • , Harshad Ingle
  • , Rachel Rodgers
  • , Chunyan Wu
  • , Yating Wang
  • , Yuhao Li
  • , Xia Yang
  • , Jin Zhang
  • , Nicolette R. Borella
  • , Hongju Deng
  • , Lindsay Droit
  • , Ryan Hill
  • , Stefan T. Peterson
  • , Chandni Desai
  • , Dylan Lawrence
  • , Qun Lu
  • , Megan T. Baldridge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mutations in the macroautophagy/autophagy gene EPG5 are responsible for Vici syndrome, a human genetic disease characterized by combined immunodeficiency. Previously, we found that epg5−/- mice exhibit hyperinflammation in the lungs mediated by IL1B/IL-1β and TNF/TNFα, resulting in resistance to influenza. Here, we find that disruption of Epg5 results in protection against multiple enteric viruses including norovirus and rotavirus. Gene expression analysis reveals IFNL/IFN-λ responsive genes as a key alteration. Further, mice lacking Epg5 exhibit substantial alterations of the intestinal microbiota. Surprisingly, germ-free mouse studies indicate Epg5-associated inflammation of both the intestine and lung is microbiota-independent. Genetic studies support IFNL signaling as the primary mediator of resistance to enteric viruses, but not of microbial dysbiosis, in epg5−/- mice. This study unveils an important role, unexpectedly independent of the microbiota, for autophagy gene Epg5 in host organism protection by modulating intestinal IFNL responses. Abbreviations: CTNNB1: catenin (cadherin associated protein), beta 1; DAPI: 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; EPG5: ectopic P-granules autophagy protein 5 homolog (C. elegans); FT: fecal transplant; IFI44: interferon-induced protein 44; IFIT1: interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1; IFNG/IFN-γ: interferon gamma; IFNL/IFN-λ: interferon lambda; IFNLR1: interferon lambda receptor 1; IL1B/IL-1β: interleukin 1 beta; ISG: interferon stimulated gene; GF: germ-free; LEfSe: linear discriminant analysis effect size; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MNoV: murine norovirus; MX2: MX dynamin-like GTPase 2; OAS1A: 2’-5’ oligoadenylate synthetase 1A; RV: rotavirus; SPF: specific-pathogen free; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; STAT1: signal transducer and activator of transcription 1; STING1: stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1; TBK1: TANK-binding kinase 1; TNF/TNFα: tumor necrosis factor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1062-1077
Number of pages16
JournalAutophagy
Volume18
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Antiviral
  • Epg5
  • IFN-λ
  • microbiota
  • norovirus
  • rotavirus

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