Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
08:32

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

The interplay between viruses and innate immune signaling: recent insights and therapeutic opportunities

Leonie Unterholzner1, Andrew G Bowie

  • 1School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|September 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Viruses trigger innate immunity via pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Viral proteins can evade this response, offering potential therapeutic targets for inflammation and autoimmunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Innate immune responses are crucial for detecting viral infections.
  • Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and RNA helicases, recognize viral components (PAMPs).
  • Activation of PRRs initiates signaling cascades leading to type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, establishing an antiviral state.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how viruses evade innate immune defenses.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases based on viral evasion mechanisms.
  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of viral proteins or their derivatives.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews the mechanisms of innate immune recognition of viral infections.
  • It examines how viral proteins inhibit intracellular signaling pathways initiated by PRRs.
  • It discusses the implications of these pathways in sterile inflammation and autoimmunity.

Main Results:

  • Viruses employ viral proteins to inhibit PRR-mediated signaling cascades, thereby evading innate immunity.
  • The targeted host proteins in these signaling pathways are implicated in sterile inflammation and autoimmunity.
  • Viral proteins' interactions with host pathways highlight key drug targets.

Conclusions:

  • Viral evasion strategies reveal critical host targets for therapeutic intervention.
  • Viral proteins themselves or modified versions may serve as novel treatments for inflammation and autoimmune disorders.

More Related Videos

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection07:36

Contact-Free Co-Culture Model for the Study of Innate Immune Cell Activation During Respiratory Virus Infection

Published on: February 28, 2021

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors06:02

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Published on: September 13, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...