# Key role of TLR3 in type I IFN expression and apoptosis induction in IBDV-infected chicken fibroblast cells

## TL;DR

This study shows that TLR3 is essential for triggering immune responses and cell death in chicken cells infected with IBDV, a virus that harms poultry.

## Contribution

The study reveals TLR3's specific role in IBDV-induced type I IFN production and apoptosis in chicken fibroblasts.

## Key findings

- TLR3 ablation blocks IBDV-induced apoptosis and reduces IFN production in DF-1 cells.
- TLR3's role appears specific to IBDV, not other RNA viruses like VSV or ARV.
- RIPK1 interacts with TLR3 to influence IFN production and apoptosis in IBDV-infected cells.

## Abstract

Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) (Avibirnavirus genus, Birnaviridae family) is a non-enveloped virus with a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome. IBDV causes a highly contagious and immunosuppressive disease in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus), representing a major threat to the global poultry industry. Apoptotic cell death and exacerbated innate immune responses have been implicated in IBDV pathogenesis. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated the crucial role of type I interferon (IFN) in triggering apoptosis in IBDV-infected cell cultures. Genomic IBDV dsRNA is recognized by the cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR) melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) in chicken cells, triggering type I IFN responses. However, the contribution of the endosomal PRR Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) dsRNA sensor on type I IFN production upon IBDV infection has not been studied, despite several studies have demonstrated that its expression is significantly upregulated upon IBDV infection. Here, we demonstrate that ablation of TLR3 gene expression in DF-1 chicken fibroblasts results in a complete blockade of IBDV-induced apoptosis, a marked reduction in IFN production, and a significant enhancement of virus progeny yields. Notably, this effect appears to be specific to IBDV, as it was not observed with any of the other RNA viruses tested, including single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), Semliki Forest virus (SFV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), nor even with the dsRNA virus avian reovirus (ARV). Our findings also suggest that TLR3 may also play a role in viral release into the extracellular space. Additionally, receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), a protein that interacts with TLR3 through the adaptor Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon-β (TRIF), was shown to contribute to both IFN production and apoptosis in response to IBDV infection or dsRNA stimulation in DF-1 cells. Overall, this study provides new insights into the innate immune recognition of IBDV, highlighting the central role of TLR3 in mediating antiviral responses in chicken cells.