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[Interferon : antiviral mechanisms and viral escape]
Lucile Espert1, Céline Gongora, Nadir Mechti
1CNRS UMR 5094, établissement français du sang, 240, avenue Emile-Jeanbrau, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 5.
Abstract:
15 % of human cancers have virus origin, meaning that viruses are the second cause of cancers after tabagism. The knowledge of antiviral mechanisms is essential for treatment and prevention of infection evolution towards cancers. Interferons (IFNs) are a large family of multifunctional cytokines. They are involved in regulation of cell growth and modulation of immune response. But, all these functions seem to converge toward the most important of them : the antiviral activity. IFN secretion is the first event induced by viral infection, and will act on specific receptors on neighbour cells and prevent their infection by inducing numbers of antiviral genes. Although few of them are well known like the PKR, the 2-5OAS/RNase L pathway and the Mx proteins, many others need extensive studies to understand the wide range of IFN effect. Viruses have evolved to circumvent the IFN antiviral activity, and are able not only to divert the cellular machinery but also to lure the antiviral mechanisms of the host cell. The purpose of this review is to describe the many antiviral pathways and proteins induced by IFNs and to summarize the strategies of viral escape.
Insights
Viruses cause 15% of human cancers, making antiviral knowledge crucial for prevention. This review details interferon-induced antiviral pathways and viral evasion strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- 15% of human cancers are virus-originated, positioning viral infections as the second leading cause of cancer after smoking.
- Understanding antiviral mechanisms is critical for developing effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
- Interferons (IFNs) are key cytokines involved in regulating cell growth, modulating immune responses, and exhibiting potent antiviral activity.
Purpose:
- To review the diverse antiviral pathways and proteins induced by interferons.
- To summarize the sophisticated strategies employed by viruses to evade host antiviral defenses.
- To highlight the importance of studying interferon-induced antiviral mechanisms in the context of virus-related cancers.
Summary:
- Interferon secretion is an early host response to viral infection, initiating an antiviral state in neighboring cells by inducing specific genes.
- While some interferon-stimulated antiviral genes (e.g., PKR, 2-5OAS/RNase L, Mx proteins) are well-characterized, many others require further investigation to fully understand their roles.
- Viruses have evolved complex mechanisms to counteract interferon's antiviral effects, including hijacking cellular machinery and subverting host defense systems.
Impact:
- This review provides a comprehensive overview of host antiviral responses and viral evasion tactics, crucial for advancing therapeutic interventions against virus-associated malignancies.
- Enhanced understanding of interferon-mediated antiviral pathways can lead to novel strategies for preventing and treating cancers of viral origin.
- Identifying and characterizing novel antiviral factors and viral escape mechanisms can inform the development of targeted antiviral therapies and cancer vaccines.