The Type I interferon antiviral gene program is impaired by lockdown and preserved by caregiving
Steve W. Cole, John T. Cacioppo, Stephanie Cacioppo, Kyle J. Bone, Laura A. Del Rosso, Abigail Spinner, Jesusa M.G. Arevalo, Thomas Dizon, John P. Capitanio
Abstract
classical monocytes. These effects emerged within the first 48 h of SIP, persisted for at least 2 wk, and abated within 4 wk of return to social housing. A subsequent round of SIP in the presence of a novel juvenile macaque showed comparable reductions in circulating immune cell populations but reversal of Type I IFN reductions and classical monocyte increases observed during individual SIP. Analyses of lymph node tissues showed parallel up-regulation of Type I IFN genes and enhanced control of viral gene expression during juvenile-partnered SIP compared to isolated SIP. These results identify a significant adverse effect of SIP social isolation on antiviral immune regulation in both circulating immune cells and lymphoid tissues, and they suggest a potential behavioral strategy for ameliorating gene regulatory impacts (but not immune cell declines) by promoting prosocial engagement during SIP.