Proteomics to study macrophage response to viral infection

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Proteomics

Background:

• Viral infections pose significant threats to human and animal health, necessitating a deep understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
• Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells that detect and respond to viral infections, playing a central role in both defense and viral replication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how proteomics studies have advanced the understanding of macrophage responses to viral infections, focusing on Influenza A virus (IAV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and swine viruses.
• To highlight the importance of characterizing host proteome manipulation by viruses for identifying novel antiviral targets.

Main Methods:

• Review of current proteomics studies investigating host-pathogen interactions at the macrophage level.
• Analysis of proteome-wide changes in macrophages upon infection with IAV, HIV, and swine viruses (PRRSV, PCV2).

Main Results:

• Proteomics enables a global view of host cell responses, including protein expression, post-translational modifications, and localization, during viral infections.
• Studies reveal how viruses like IAV and HIV-1 antagonize host responses and how swine viruses impact macrophage function.
• Identified host factors exploited by viruses are potential targets for next-generation antiviral drugs.

Conclusions:

• Proteomics is essential for elucidating the complex molecular mechanisms by which viruses manipulate host macrophages.
• Targeting host proteins, rather than rapidly mutating viral proteins, offers a promising strategy for developing durable antiviral therapies.