Mechanisms of Interferon-Lambda Programming at the Innate-Adaptive Immune Interface for Protection Against Virus Infection

Project Narrative. IFN-λ contributes to immunity against influenza A virus (IAV) infection at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity, but how IFN-λ regulates the protective capacity of adaptive immune responses is not known. Our work has identified a critical role for IFN-λ in regulating DC responses to activate CD8+ T cells during IAV infection. The work proposed here will define the contribution of IFN-λ to the development of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and define the mechanisms by which IFN-λ programs DCs, revealing the full potential of IFN-λ as a therapeutic against IAV. !