The population context is a driver of the heterogeneous response of epithelial cells to interferons

Abstract

(Figure presented.) The heterogeneous response to interferons in epithelial cells is determined by the population context (i.e. a cell’s positions within a population) through cell polarization and basolateral localization of the interferon receptor. Isogenic epithelial cells respond in a heterogeneous manner to type I and type III interferons. The population context (position of a cell within a population) drives the heterogeneous response to interferons, with cells located at the edge of a population being more responsive than cells located in the center of a population. Cells in the center of a population are refractive to interferon treatment from their apical side due to the polarized basolateral distribution of the interferon receptors. By controlling the response to interferon treatment, the population context affects susceptibility to viral infection.