Interleukin-27 expression following infection with the murine gammaherpesvirus 68

IL-27 is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of p28 and Epstein Barr virus induced gene 3 (Ebi3) protein subunits. In the present study, we questioned whether murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (HV-68) could induce expression of Ebi3, p28, and IL-27 in this mouse model of an EBV-like infection. Cultured macrophages and dendritic cells exposed to HV-68 upregulated p28 mRNA expression and increased secretion of the p28 and IL-27 (p28 + Ebi3) proteins. B220+ and CD11b+ cells also upregulated p28 mRNA expression following in vivo infection with this virus. Surprisingly, no significant increases in p28 or IL-27 protein production were observed in vivo during the acute or mononucleosis phases of the disease. The possibility that HV-68-induced upregulation of p28 mRNA expression primed cells for IL-27 secretion was suggested by the ability of a TLR4 agonist to augment cytokine production. When cultured macrophages and dendritic cells were exposed to virus plus a suboptimal dose of LPS, increased levels of p28 protein expression were observed. More importantly, when latently infected mice were challenged with a sublethal dose of LPS, augmented p28 and IL-27 protein production occurred. Using a model of sepsis, mice latently infected with HV-68 had exaggerated p28 protein production when compared to mice that were singularly infected or subjected to cecal ligation and puncture. Taken together, these studies define expression of HV-68 induced IL-27, and suggest that mice latently infected with this gammaherpesvirus will have exaggerated responses when confronted with other stimuli capable of inducing this member of the IL-12 family of cytokines.