Work

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Exerts Powerful Anti-Influenza Virus Effects in Lung Epithelial Cells

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: Previous studies have associated influenza virus-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), with influenza pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract and have suggested that alpha and beta interferons are the first cytokines recruited to counteract such infection. However, we report here that TNF-alpha has powerful anti-influenza virus activity. When infected with influenza virus, cultured porcine lung epithelial cells expressed TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of TNF-alpha was induced only by replicating virus. TNF-alpha showed strong antiviral activity against avian, swine, and human influenza viruses, and the antiviral effect of TNF-alpha was greater than that of gamma or alpha interferon. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha serves as the first line of defense against influenza virus infection in the natural host.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.76.3.1071-1076.2002

Authors: Sang Heui Seo, Robert G. Webster

Institution: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Influenza Virus Research Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases