Antiviral innate immune response in non-myeloid cells is augmented by chloride ions via an increase in intracellular hypochlorous acid levels

Source:

Ramalingam, S., Cai, B., Wong, J. et al. Antiviral innate immune response in non-myeloid cells is augmented by chloride ions via an increase in intracellular hypochlorous acid levels. Sci Rep 8, 13630 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31936-y

Date: 2018

Abstract:

Phagocytes (white blood cells) fight infections by producing hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from chloride ions and hydrogen peroxide. Myeloperoxidase is the enzyme responsible for making HOCl. While it was thought that only certain cells could produce HOCl, we found that other cells like epithelial (skin), fibroblast (connective tissue), and liver cells also have antiviral properties when salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) levels increase. These cells can block the replication of various viruses, including DNA and RNA viruses, through a process that depends on chloride. This suggests that these cells use a similar mechanism to phagocytes to fight infections using HOCl.