IFNAR1 Signaling in NK Cells Promotes Persistent Virus Infection

Inhibition of IFN-I signaling promotes the control of persistent virus infection, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we report that genetic ablation of IFNAR1 specifically in NK cells led to elevated numbers of T follicular helper cells, germinal center B cells, and plasma cells, resulting in hastened virus clearance comparable to IFNAR1 blockade by an IFNAR1 neutralizing antibody. Antigen-specific B cells and antiviral antibodies were essential for the accelerated control of LCMV Cl13 infection following IFNAR1 blockade. IFNAR1 signaling in NK cells promoted NK cell maturation, function, and killing of antigenspecific CD4 and CD8 T cells. Therefore, Inhibition of IFN I signaling in NK cells enhances CD4 and CD8 T cell responses, elevates humoral immune response, and thereby facilitates the control of persistent virus infection. NK cells from individual mice treated with anti-IFNAR1 or isotype control antibody were isolated for RNA-seq, four biological replicates per group were used for a total of eight samples sequenced.