A Novel Role for IFN-Stimulated Gene Factor 3II in IFN-γ Signaling and Induction of Antiviral Activity in Human Cells

Type I (e.g., IFN-alpha, IFN-beta) and type II IFNs (IFN-gamma) have antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. Both types of IFN signal through the Jak/STAT pathway to elicit antiviral activity, yet IFN-gamma is thought to do so only through STAT1 homodimers, whereas type I IFNs activate both STAT1- and STAT2-containing complexes such as IFN-stimulated gene factor 3. In this study, we show that IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 containing unphosphorylated STAT2 (ISGF3(II)) also plays a role in IFN-gamma-mediated antiviral activity in humans. Using phosphorylated STAT1 as a marker for IFN signaling, Western blot analysis of IFN-alpha 2a-treated human A549 cells revealed that phospho-STAT1 (Y701) levels peaked at 1 h, decreased by 6 h, and remained at low levels for up to 48 h. Cells treated with IFN-gamma showed a biphasic phospho-STAT1 response with an early peak at 1-2 h and a second peak at 15-24 h. Gene expression microarray following IFN-gamma treatment for 24 h indicated an induction of antiviral genes that are induced by IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 and associated with a type I IFN response. Induction of these genes by autocrine type I and type III IFN signaling was ruled out using neutralizing Abs to these IFNs in biological assays and by quantitative RT-PCR. Despite the absence of autocrine IFNs, IFN-gamma treatment induced formation of ISGF3(II). This novel transcription factor complex binds to IFN-stimulated response element promoter sequences, as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of the protein kinase R promoter. STAT2 and IFN regulatory factor 9 knockdown in A549 cells reversed IFN-gamma-mediated IFN-stimulated response element induction and antiviral activity, implicating ISGF3II formation as a significant component of the cellular response and biological activity of IFN-gamma. The Journal of Immunology, 2011, 186: 1685-1693.