ABCF1 regulates dsDNA-induced immune responses in human airway epithelial cells

The airway epithelium represents a critical component of the human lung that helps orchestrate defences against respiratory tract viral infections, which are responsible for more than 2.5 million deaths/year globally. Innate immune activities of the airway epithelium rely Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide binding and leucine-rich-repeat pyrin domain containing (NLRP) receptors, and cytosolic nucleic acid sensors. ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters are ubiquitous across all three domains of life – Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya – and expressed in the human airway epithelium. ABCF1, a unique ABC family member that lacks a transmembrane domain, has been defined as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor that regulates CXCL10, interferon-b expression, and downstream type I interferon responses. We tested the hypothesis that ABCF1 functions as a dsDNA nucleic acid sensor in human airway epithelial cells important in regulating antiviral responses.

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Cao QT, Aguiar JA, Tremblay BJ, Abbas N, Tiessen N, Revill S, Makhdami N, Ayoub A, Cox G, Ask K, Doxey AC, Hirota JA