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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...
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High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
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Evolutionary genetic dissection of human interferons.

Jérémy Manry1, Guillaume Laval, Etienne Patin

  • 1Unit of Human Evolutionary Genetics, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Institut Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|December 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Natural selection reveals the varying importance of interferons (IFNs) in human immunity. Some IFNs are crucial for defense, while others show redundancy, impacting host defense mechanisms.

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Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Human Genetics

Background:

  • Interferons (IFNs) are critical cytokines in immune responses.
  • The specific roles of various IFNs in human survival are not fully understood.
  • Understanding selective pressures on IFNs can illuminate host defense mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary pressures on human interferons and their receptors.
  • To determine the relative importance of different IFNs in host defense against pathogens.
  • To identify genetic variations in IFNs that confer survival advantages.

Main Methods:

  • Population genetic analyses of human interferon genes and their receptors.
  • Assessment of natural selection signatures (purifying and positive selection).
  • Analysis of mutation frequencies for specific IFN subtypes.

Main Results:

  • Certain interferon subtypes (IFN-α6, IFN-α8, IFN-α13, IFN-α14) and IFN-γ show strong purifying selection, indicating essential functions.
  • Relaxed selection on other type I IFNs (IFN-α10, IFN-ε) suggests functional redundancy.
  • Type III IFNs exhibit geographically specific positive selection in European and Asian populations, linked to viral resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Interferons exhibit diverse biological relevance shaped by evolutionary forces.
  • Specific IFN genes are under significant selective pressure, highlighting their nonredundant roles in immunity.
  • Population genetic data reveals key determinants of host immune responsiveness and adaptation.