Human cytomegalovirus-encoded US9 targets MAVS and STING signaling to evade type I interferon immune responses

Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 9;9(1):125. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02624-8.

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has evolved sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms that target both the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, how HCMV encoded proteins are involved in this immune escape is not clear. Here, we show that HCMV glycoprotein US9 inhibits the IFN-β response by targeting the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-mediated signaling pathways. US9 accumulation in mitochondria attenuates the mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to promotion of MAVS leakage from the mitochondria. Furthermore, US9 disrupts STING oligomerization and STING-TBK1 association through competitive interaction. Intriguingly, US9 blocks interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) nuclear translocation and its cytoplasmic domain is essential for inhibiting IRF3 activation. Mutant HCMV lacking US7-16 is impaired in antagonism of MAVS/STING-mediated IFN-β expression, an effect that is reversible by the introduction of US9. Our findings indicate that HCMV US9 is an antagonist of IFN signaling to persistently evade host innate antiviral responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / immunology*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Evasion / immunology
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / immunology
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / metabolism
  • Interferon Type I / immunology*
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / immunology
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / virology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • U937 Cells
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interferon Type I
  • MAVS protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • STING1 protein, human
  • US9 protein, Human herpesvirus 5
  • Viral Proteins