Conserved induction of distinct antiviral signalling kinetics by primate interferon lambda 4 proteins

Interferon lambdas (IFN{lambda}) (also known as type III IFNs) are critical cytokines that combat infection predominantly at barrier tissues, such as the lung, liver and gastrointestinal tract. Humans have four IFN{lambda}s (1-4) where IFN{lambda}1-3 show [~]80-95% homology and IFN{lambda}4 is the most divergent displaying only [~]30% sequence identity. Variants in IFN{lambda}4 in humans are associated with the outcome of infection, such as with hepatitis C virus. However, how IFN{lambda}4 variants impact cytokine signalling in other tissues and how well this is conserved is largely unknown. In this study we address whether differences in antiviral signalling exist between IFN{lambda}4 variants in human hepatocyte and intestinal cells, comparing them to IFN{lambda}3. We demonstrate that compared to IFN{lambda}3, wild-type human IFN{lambda}4 induces a signalling response with distinct magnitudes and kinetics, which is modified by naturally-occurring variants P70S and K154E in both cell types. IFN{lambda}4s distinct antiviral response was more rapid yet transient compared to IFN{lambda}1 and 3. Additionally, divergent antiviral kinetics were also observed using non-human primate IFN{lambda}s and cell lines. Furthermore, an IFN{lambda}4-like receptor-interacting interface failed to alter IFN{lambda}1s kinetics. Together our data provide further evidence that major functional differences exist within the IFN{lambda} gene family. These results highlight the possible tissue specialisation of IFN{lambda}s and encourage further investigation of the divergent, non-redundant activities of IFN{lambda}4 and other IFN{lambda}s. Contribution to the FieldViral infections remain major causes of death and disease in humans and other animals. Interferons (IFNs) are a diverse group of host signalling proteins that can induce a potent antiviral state in cells and are intimately involved in the outcome of infection. Genetic variants within one IFN (interferon lambda 4, IFN{lambda}4) are associated with the outcome of hepatitis C infection in humans. However, how IFN{lambda}4 functions - and how natural variants affect its activity - remains poorly understood. Comparing how the antiviral activity changes over time following stimulation with different IFN{lambda}s, we identified that IFN{lambda}4 induces a more rapid antiviral state compared to other IFN{lambda}s in liver and intestinal cells. Importantly, this response was conserved within human variants and between humans and non-human primates (chimpanzee and Rhesus macaque). Our results shed light on the unique functions of the divergent IFN{lambda}4 protein.