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Cytomegalovirus is a DNA-encoded β-herpesvirus that induces STING-dependent type 1 interferon responses in macrophages and uses myeloid cells as a vehicle for dissemination. Here we report that STING knockout mice are as resistant to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection as wild-type controls, whereas mice with a combined Toll-like receptor/RIG-I-like receptor/STING signaling deficiency do not mount type 1 interferon responses and succumb to the infection. Although STING alone is dispensable for survival, early IFN-β induction in Kupffer cells is STING-dependent and controls early hepatic virus propagation. Infection experiments with an inducible reporter MCMV show that STING constrains MCMV replication in myeloid cells and limits viral dissemination via these cells. By contrast, restriction of viral dissemination from hepatocytes to other organs is independent of STING. Thus, during MCMV infection STING is involved in early IFN-β induction in Kupffer cells and the restriction of viral dissemination via myeloid cells, whereas it is dispensable for survival., Innate immune signaling pathways sense different microbial features and can elicit distinct yet overlapping immune responses. Here the authors dissect the contribution of these pathways to the response to MCMV infection and find that STING signaling is dispensable for host survival but crucial to restrict viral replication and dissemination via myeloid cells.

IFN-γ is an enigmatic cytokine that shows direct anti-viral effects, confers upregulation of MHC-II and other components relevant for antigen presentation, and that adjusts the composition and balance of complex cytokine responses. It is produced during immune responses by innate as well as adaptive immune cells and can critically affect the course and outcome of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer. To selectively analyze the function of innate immune cell-derived IFN-γ, we generated conditional IFN-γOFF mice, in which endogenous IFN-γ expression is disrupted by a loxP flanked gene trap cassette inserted into the first intron of the IFN-γ gene. IFN-γOFF mice were intercrossed with Ncr1-Cre or CD4-Cre mice that express Cre mainly in NK cells (IFN-γNcr1-ON mice) or T cells (IFN-γCD4-ON mice), respectively. Rosa26RFP reporter mice intercrossed with Ncr1-Cre mice showed selective RFP expression in more than 80% of the NK cells, while upon intercrossing with CD4-Cre mice abundant RFP expression was detected in T cells, but also to a minor extent in other immune cell subsets. Previous studies showed that IFN-γ expression is needed to promote survival of vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. Interestingly, during VACV infection of wild type and IFN-γCD4-ON mice two waves of serum IFN-γ were induced that peaked on day 1 and day 3/4 after infection. Similarly, VACV infected IFN-γNcr1-ON mice mounted two waves of IFN-γ responses, of which the first one was moderately and the second one profoundly reduced when compared with WT mice. Furthermore, IFN-γNcr1-ON as well as IFN-γCD4-ON mice survived VACV infection, whereas IFN-γOFF mice did not. As expected, ex vivo analysis of splenocytes derived from VACV infected IFN-γNcr1-ON mice showed IFN-γ expression in NK cells, but not T cells, whereas IFN-γOFF mice showed IFN-γ expression neither in NK cells nor T cells. VACV infected IFN-γNcr1-ON mice mounted normal cytokine responses, restored neutrophil accumulation, and showed normal myeloid cell distribution in blood and spleen. Additionally, in these mice normal MHC-II expression was detected on peripheral macrophages, whereas IFN-γOFF mice did not show MHC-II expression on such cells. In conclusion, upon VACV infection Ncr1 positive cells including NK cells mount two waves of early IFN-γ responses that are sufficient to promote the induction of protective anti-viral immunity., Author summary Viral infections induce interferon (IFN) responses that constitute a first line of defense. Type II IFN (IFN-γ) is required for protection against lethal vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. To address the cellular origin of protective IFN-γ responses during VACV infection, we generated IFN-γOFF mice, in which the endogenous IFN-γ gene function can be reconstituted in a Cre-dependent manner. IFN-γOFF mice were intercrossed with Ncr1-Cre mice that express Cre selectively in Ncr1+ innate cell subsests such as NK cells. Surprisingly, VACV infected IFN-γNcr1-ON mice mounted two waves of IFN-γ responses. Reconstitution of innate IFN-γ was sufficient to restore cytokine responses that supported normal myeloid cell distribution and survival upon VACV infection. In conclusion, IFN-γ derived from Ncr1+ innate immune cells is sufficient to elicit fully effective immune responses upon VACV infection. Our new mouse model is suitable to further address the role of Ncr1+ cell-derived IFN-γ also in other models of infection, as well as of autoimmunity and cancer.

Background & Aim Virus-induced fulminant hepatitis is a major cause of acute liver failure. During acute viral hepatitis the impact of type I interferon (IFN-I) on myeloid cells, including liver-resident Kupffer cells (KC), is only partially understood. Herein, we dissected the impact of locally induced IFN-I responses on myeloid cell function and hepatocytes during acute liver inflammation. Methods Two different DNA-encoded viruses, vaccinia virus (VACV) and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), were studied. In vivo imaging was applied to visualize local IFN-β induction and IFN-I receptor (IFNAR) triggering in VACV-infected reporter mice. Furthermore, mice with a cell type-selective IFNAR ablation were analyzed to dissect the role of IFNAR signaling in myeloid cells and hepatocytes. Experiments with Cx3cr1 +/gfp mice revealed the origin of reconstituted KC. Finally, mixed bone marrow chimeric mice were studied to specifically analyze the effect of IFNAR triggering on liver infiltrating monocytes. Results VACV infection induced local IFN-β responses, which lead to IFNAR signaling primarily within the liver. IFNAR triggering was needed to control the infection and prevent fulminant hepatitis. The severity of liver inflammation was independent of IFNAR triggering of hepatocytes, whereas IFNAR triggering of myeloid cells protected from excessive inflammation. Upon VACV or MCMV infection KC disappeared, whereas infiltrating monocytes differentiated to KC afterwards. During IFNAR triggering such replenished monocyte-derived KC comprised more IFNAR-deficient than -competent cells in mixed bone marrow chimeric mice, whereas after the decline of IFNAR triggering both subsets showed an even distribution. Conclusion Upon VACV infection IFNAR triggering of myeloid cells, but not of hepatocytes, critically modulates acute viral hepatitis. During infection with DNA-encoded viruses IFNAR triggering of liver-infiltrating blood monocytes delays the development of monocyte-derived KC, pointing towards new therapeutic strategies for acute viral hepatitis. Lay summary Viral infection can cause fulminant hepatitis, which in turn is a major cause of acute liver failure. Herein, we aimed to study the role of type 1 interferon responses in acute viral hepatitis. We identified that during infection with DNA-encoded viruses, type 1 interferon receptor triggering of blood monocytes delays the development of monocyte-derived Kupffer cells. This points to new therapeutic strategies for acute viral hepatitis.