Left to Right: Drs. Silverman, Golenbock, Gazzinelli, and Fitzgerald
By Merin C. MacDonald | Date Published: April 16, 2024
New Study Shows Transcription Factor IRF5 Initiates IL-12 Response Central in Controlling Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common human parasites. The CDC estimates that 11% of the U.S. population over the age of six have been infected, and in some populations around the world, over 60% of individuals have been infected. Although most cases are asymptomatic, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can be congenitally transmitted and is also a threat to pregnant and immunocompromised individuals.
Members of the Silverman, Golenbock, and Gazzinelli labs in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, and the Fitzgerald lab in the Division of Innate Immunity, recently collaborated on a paper, “The IRAK1/IRF5 axis initiates IL-12 response by dendritic cells and control of Toxoplasma gondii infection.” Published in Cell Reports at the end of February, the paper describes the importance of different IRAK proteins in initiating IL-12 production and host resistance to acute infection with T. gondii. Using mouse infection models, study investigators found that in murine dendritic cells, the IRAK1/IRF5 axis drives the production of key inflammatory molecules such as IL-12, CCL5, and TNF. IRF5 activity is then further modulated by CNBP, a nucleic acid binding protein. Their findings show that IRF5 is a central factor in controlling parasitic infections, like T. gondii, via the production of IL-12.