This article has a correction. Please see:
Interfering with viral neuroinvasion
Interferon-λ is among many secreted host proteins that activate an antiviral response. In new work, Lazear et al. observed that mice with genetic defects in interferon-λ signaling sustained greater West Nile virus infection in the brain and spinal cord, even though interferon-λ did not inhibit viral replication directly. Instead, interferon-λ signaling tightened the blood-brain barrier and limited West Nile virus dissemination into the brain. Administration of exogenous interferon-λ protected mice from West Nile virus infection in the brain and subsequent death. Thus, interferon-λ contributes to maintaining tissue barriers that restrict viral pathogenesis.
- Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science
