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Subversion and piracy: DNA viruses and immune evasion
1Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, Scotland, UK. haigd@mri.sari.ac.uk
Research in Veterinary Science
|October 26, 2001
Summary
Viruses evolve immune evasion genes to replicate by inhibiting host defenses like apoptosis and interferon production. These viral genes, often mimicking host proteins, are crucial for viral pathogenesis and host immunity.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Viruses and vertebrate hosts co-evolve, leading to viral acquisition of immunomodulatory genes and sophisticated host immune systems.
- DNA viruses develop mechanisms to inhibit critical host antiviral responses, including apoptosis, interferon, and cytotoxic cell activity, to ensure replication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the evolutionary strategies of viral immunomodulatory genes in combating host immune responses.
- To understand how viral proteins interfere with host defense mechanisms and influence viral pathogenesis.
- To highlight the significance of viral immunomodulatory proteins in understanding viral pathogenesis and host immunity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of viral genomes for immunomodulatory genes.
- Investigation of viral mechanisms inhibiting host antiviral pathways (apoptosis, interferon, cytokine production, cytotoxic T-cells, NK cells, antibodies).
- Examination of viral cytokine/chemokine homologues and their roles in infection and immune subversion.
- Case study of orf virus infection in sheep.
Main Results:
- Viruses possess diverse immunomodulatory genes to counteract host immunity.
- Viral strategies include inhibiting apoptosis, interferon, and immune cell activity.
- Some viruses encode functional cytokine/chemokine homologues to manipulate host responses.
- Herpesviruses utilize immunomodulatory proteins to establish latency by promoting cell survival and immune evasion.
- Many viral immunomodulatory proteins are host-derived, suggesting gene piracy and reassortment.
Conclusions:
- Viral immunomodulatory genes are critical for viral replication and pathogenesis, reflecting a complex interplay with host immunity.
- The study of these viral proteins offers insights into novel aspects of viral pathogenesis and host antiviral strategies.
- Understanding viral immune evasion mechanisms is key to developing effective antiviral therapies and vaccines.