Anti-viral cytokines blunt immune response to tuberculosis: Study

Researchers have discovered how anti-viral cytokines can reduce the immunological response to tuberculosis. Type 1 interferon is a crucial immune system protein whose functions are still understood. A new collaborative project between Trinity's School of Medicine and the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) is closing the knowledge gap on these activities.
Cytokines known as type one interferons kill viruses like Covid -19. Small proteins called cytokines are crucial in controlling the growth and operation of other immune and blood cells. When released, they signal the immune system to begin producing antibodies.
Although cytokines play a beneficial protective role, the persistent production of type 1 interferons exacerbates the diseases that many people have. These include people with chronic TB and individuals with the auto-immune condition systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Dr Gina Leisching, Senior Research Fellow, Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine has led the group to study the influence of type 1 interferons on the immune system, using an animal model. This study demonstrates that type 1 interferon treatment induces an inflammatory state characterized by the increased production of white cells, and inflammatory intermediate metabolites as well as immune cell metabolic rewiring - which interferes with the ability of macrophages to fight bacteria.
“This work has provided new evidence that chronic type I interferons blunt the immune response and explains why patients with diseases that are driven by these immune proteins are prone to infections”, she added.