Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

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...

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...

Development of Immunocompetence

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Control of retrotransposon-driven activation of the interferon response by the double-stranded RNA binding protein DGCR8.

Nucleic acids research·2026

Same author

Double stranded RNA sensing is silenced during early embryonic development.

Nature communications·2025

Same author

Implementing psychedelic-assisted therapy: History and characteristics of the Swiss limited medical use program.

Neuroscience applied·2025

Same author

The molecular language of RNA 5' ends: guardians of RNA identity and immunity.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)·2024

Same author

Case of the Month from the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland: Urothelial carcinoma in an orthotopic neobladder: reported cases and pathophysiological hypotheses.

BJU international·2022

Same author

Risk factors for stroke after total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk technique.

Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

Antiviral Defence Mechanisms during Early Mammalian Development.

Felix Mueller^1,2, Jeroen Witteveldt¹, Sara Macias¹

¹Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.

|February 24, 2024

Summary

Pluripotent embryonic cells lack the major antiviral defense, the type-I interferon (IFN) response. Contrary to belief, they are susceptible to viruses, depending on viral entry factors, challenging their presumed innate resistance.

Keywords:

antiviral blastocyst development dsRNA embryonic stem cells innate immunity interferon transposable element transposon virus

More Related Videos

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

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

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

Published on: September 13, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

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

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

Published on: September 13, 2018

Area of Science:

Immunology
Developmental Biology
Virology

Background:

The type-I interferon (IFN) response is crucial for mammalian innate immunity against viruses.
This pathway is notably inactive in pluripotent embryonic cells, suggesting an incompatibility with pluripotency.
Pluripotent cells utilize alternative antiviral strategies, often linked to transposable element defense.

Approach:

A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the susceptibility of pluripotent cells to viral infections.
The study examined the correlation between viral entry mechanisms and infection susceptibility in these cells.
This approach challenges the long-held hypothesis of inherent viral resistance in embryonic cells.

Key Points:

Pluripotent cells' lack of inducible type-I IFN response was thought to confer resistance.
Meta-analysis reveals susceptibility is linked to viral receptor/co-receptor presence.
This finding contradicts the notion of intrinsic resistance in pluripotent cells.

Conclusions:

Pluripotent cells are not intrinsically resistant to all viruses.
Viral susceptibility correlates with the availability of cellular entry points.
The sacrifice of the IFN response pathway raises questions about evolutionary trade-offs in early development.