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Evaluation of innate immune signaling pathways in transformed cells

Joshua F Heiber1, Glen N Barber

  • 1University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Oncolytic viruses show promise for cancer therapy by selectively killing tumor cells. This review examines assays for analyzing innate immune pathways crucial for antiviral responses, potentially explaining viral oncolysis in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Oncolytic viruses are emerging as a novel cancer therapy.
  • These viruses preferentially replicate in and kill cancer cells.
  • Tumor cells may possess defects in innate immune signaling or translation regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review concepts and assays for analyzing signaling pathways regulating Type I Interferon (IFN) production.
  • To explore the induction of interferon-stimulated antiviral genes.
  • To assess defects in innate immune pathways controlling antiviral host defense in tumor cells.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on signaling pathways.
  • Description of assays to analyze Type I IFN production.
  • Methods to assess interferon-stimulated antiviral gene induction.

Main Results:

  • Oncolytic viruses can be DNA or RNA based.
  • Defects in innate immune signaling can enhance viral oncolysis.
  • Analysis of these pathways can elucidate mechanisms of viral cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding innate immune pathways is critical for effective oncolytic virotherapy.
  • Assays to analyze these pathways can identify tumor-specific vulnerabilities.
  • This knowledge may optimize the use of oncolytic viruses in cancer treatment.

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