Type I IFNs (IFN-α/β) play crucial roles in the elimination of invading viruses. Multiple immune cells including macrophages recognize viral infection through a variety of pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors, and initiate type I IFN secretion and subsequent antiviral immune responses. However, the mechanisms by which host immune cells can produce adequate amounts of type I IFNs and then eliminate viruses effectively remain to be further elucidated. In the present study, we show that munc18-1-interacting protein 3 (Mint3) expression can be markedly induced during viral infection in macrophages. Mint3 enhances TLR3/4- and RIG-I-induced IRF3 activation and IFN-β production by promoting K63-linked polyubiquitination of TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3). Consistently, Mint3 deficiency greatly attenuated antiviral immune responses and increased viral replication. Therefore, we have identified Mint3 as a physiological positive regulator of TLR3/4 and RIG-I-induced IFN-β production and have outlined a feedback mechanism for the control of antiviral immune responses.
Keywords: RIG-I; TLR; TRAF3; interferon; viral infection.