Interferon-gamma negatively regulates Th17-mediated immunopathology during mouse hepatitis virus infection

Fulminant hepatitis can cause acute liver failure and death in both humans and mice. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the acute disease are still not well understood. Here, we examine the role of Th17 response in the development of the acute hepatitis following infection with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). We show that IL-17 levels in serum are rapidly elevated and positively correlated to liver damage and death of the mice. In IFN-γR(−/−) mice, Th17 response is enhanced and the elevated IL-17 production contributes to severe liver damage as well as detrimental inflammation because neutralization of IL-17 effectively suppresses inflammation and protects mice from liver injury. We further show that IFN-γ facilitates antigen-induced apoptosis of Th17 cells and adoptive transferred IFN-γR(−/−), but not IFN-γR(+/+); CD4(+) T cells promotes an enhanced liver damage in wild-type mice. The results demonstrate an essential role of Th17 cells in MHV-induced immunopathology and the importance of IFN-γ in maintaining immune balance between Th1 and Th17 responses during acute viral infection. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00109-010-0711-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.