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Virus proteins that bind cytokines, chemokines or interferons
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK. glsmith@molbiol.ox.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Immunology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Viruses use proteins to bypass host defenses like complement and interferons. Discoveries include broad-acting orthopoxvirus interferon receptors and multi-cytokine binding proteins from herpesviruses and poxviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Viruses employ diverse strategies to counteract host immune responses.
- Non-specific host defenses, including complement, interferons, and inflammatory pathways, are crucial for controlling viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight recent discoveries in viral immune evasion mechanisms.
- To identify specific viral proteins that interfere with host innate immunity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent findings in viral pathogenesis and immunology.
- Analysis of protein structures and functions involved in host-pathogen interactions.
Main Results:
- Orthopoxviruses possess interferon receptors with broad species specificity.
- Herpesviruses and poxviruses express proteins mimicking host chemokine receptors.
- Some viral proteins exhibit the ability to bind multiple host cytokines, interferons, or chemokines.
Conclusions:
- Viral proteins are key players in evading critical host innate immune defenses.
- These viral immune evasion strategies offer insights into host-pathogen dynamics and potential therapeutic targets.