Joan Durbin

COVID-19 and emerging viral infections: The case for interferon lambda

The Journal of Experimental Medicine · 2020 · 207 citations

With the first reports on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the scientific community working in the field of type III IFNs (IFN-λ) realized that this class of IFNs could play an important role in this and other emerging viral infections. In this Viewpoint, we present our opinion on the benefits and potential limitations of using IFN-λ to prevent, limit, and treat these dangerous viral infections.

Type III interferon is a critical regulator of innate antifungal immunity

Science Immunology · 2017-10-06 · 201 citations

monocytes promote optimal activation of antifungal neutrophils by initiating a coordinated IFN response. We have identified type III IFNs as critical regulators of neutrophil activation and type I IFNs as early stimulators of IFN-λ expression.

Distinct Roles of Type I and Type III Interferons in Intestinal Immunity to Homologous and Heterologous Rotavirus Infections

PLoS Pathogens · 2016-04-29 · 191 citations

Type I (IFN-α/β) and type III (IFN-λ) interferons (IFNs) exert shared antiviral activities through distinct receptors. However, their relative importance for antiviral protection of different organ systems against specific viruses remains to be fully explored. We used mouse strains deficient in type-specific IFN signaling, STAT1 and Rag2 to dissect distinct and overlapping contributions of type I and type III IFNs to protection against homologous murine (EW-RV strain) and heterologous (non-murin…

Respiratory syncytial virus infection enhances <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> biofilm growth through dysregulation of nutritional immunity

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2016-01-04 · 166 citations

Clinical observations link respiratory virus infection and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in chronic lung disease, including cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The development of P. aeruginosa into highly antibiotic-resistant biofilm communities promotes airway colonization and accounts for disease progression in patients. Although clinical studies show a strong correlation between CF patients' acquisition of chronic P. aeruginosa infections and respiratory viru…

Contribution of type III interferons to antiviral immunity: location, location, location

Journal of Biological Chemistry · 2017-03-01 · 152 citations

Type I interferons (IFN-α/β) and the more recently identified type III IFNs (IFN-λ) function as the first line of defense against virus infection and regulate the development of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Type III IFNs were originally identified as a novel ligand-receptor system acting in parallel with type I IFNs, but subsequent studies have provided increasing evidence for distinct roles for each IFN family. In addition to their compartmentalized antiviral actions, these two sy…