Type I interferon sensitizes lymphocytes to apoptosis and reduces resistance to Listeria infection

Javier A. Carrero, Boris Calderon, Emil R. Unanue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

327 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infection with Listeria monocytogenes causes lymphocyte apoptosis that is mediated by the actions of the pore-forming virulence factor listeriolysin O (LLO). Previous work showed that activated lymphocytes were highly sensitive to LLO-induced apoptosis, whereas resting lymphocytes were less susceptible. We now show that mice deficient in the type I interferon (IFN) receptor were more resistant to Listeria infection and had less apoptotic lesions than wild-type counterparts. Furthermore, treatment of resting splenic lymphocytes with recombinant IFN-αA enhanced their susceptibility to LLO-induced apoptosis. Together, these data suggest that type I IFN signaling is detrimental to handling of a bacterial pathogen and may enhance the susceptibility of lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis in response to bacterial pore-forming toxins.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)535-540
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume200
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 16 2004

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation
  • Listeria
  • T lymphocytes

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