Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Reduction in miR-181a impairs CD4+ T-cell Responses Through Overexpression of DUSP6
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2015
Description
T cells play a crucial role in viral clearance or persistence; however, the precise mechanisms that control their responses during viral infection remain incompletely understood. MicroRNA (miR) has been implicated as a key regulator controlling diverse biological processes through posttranscriptional repression. Here, we demonstrate that hepatitis C virus (HCV)-mediated decline of miR-181a expression impairs CD4+ T-cell responses through overexpression of dual specific phosphatase 6 (DUSP6). Specifically, a significant decline of miR-181a expression along with overexpression of DUSP6 was observed in CD4+ T cells from chronically HCV-infected individuals compared to healthy subjects, and the levels of miR-181a loss were found to be negatively associated with the levels of DUSP6 overexpression in these cells. Importantly, reconstitution of miR-181a or blockade of DUSP6 expression in CD4+ T cells led to improved T-cell responses including enhanced CD25 and CD69 expression, increased interleukin-2 expression, and improved proliferation of CD4+ T cells derived from chronically HCV-infected individuals. Conclusion: Since a decline of miR-181a concomitant with DUSP6 overexpression is the signature marker for age-associated T-cell senescence, these findings provide novel mechanistic insights into HCV-mediated premature T-cell aging through miR-181a-regulated DUSP6 signaling and reveal new targets for therapeutic rejuvenation of impaired T-cell responses during chronic viral infection. (Hepatology 2015;61:1163-1173).
Citation Information
Li, Guang Y.; Zhou, Yun; Ying, Ruo S.; Shi, Lei; Cheng, Yong Q.; Ren, Jun P.; Griffin, Jeddidiah W.D.; Jia, Zhan S.; Li, Chuan F.; Moorman, Jonathan P.; and Yao, Zhi Q.. 2015. Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Reduction in miR-181a impairs CD4+ T-cell Responses Through Overexpression of DUSP6. Hepatology. Vol.61(4). 1163-1173. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.27634 PMID: 25477247 ISSN: 0270-9139