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Poxvirus interference with the host cytokine response
1Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. haigd@mri.sari.ac.uk
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|July 10, 1998
Summary
Poxviruses use modified host genes to evade immune responses, revealing new insights into host-pathogen interactions and immune evasion strategies. Studying these viral proteins enhances our understanding of the host immune system during infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Poxviruses successfully replicate by evading host immune and inflammatory responses.
- Virulence factors are acquired and modified host genes that modulate immune responses.
- Some poxvirus genes mimic host cytokines and cytokine receptors to disrupt immune signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how poxviruses utilize host-derived genes to counteract immune defenses.
- To explore the role of poxvirus cytokine and receptor homologues in immune modulation.
- To uncover novel aspects of host immune responses through the study of poxvirus virulence proteins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of poxvirus genomes for genes encoding host immune modulators.
- Characterization of viral proteins that are homologues of host cytokines and receptors.
- Investigating the functional impact of viral virulence proteins on host interferon and IL-1 beta pathways.
Main Results:
- Poxviruses encode homologues of soluble interferon, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha receptors to neutralize host cytokines.
- Viral proteins interfere with intracellular interferon signaling and IL-1 beta activation.
- Orf virus possesses an ovine IL-10 homologue and a novel GM-CSF-binding protein.
Conclusions:
- Poxvirus virulence proteins offer valuable insights into host immune and inflammatory mechanisms.
- Understanding viral immune evasion strategies can reveal novel host defense pathways.
- Poxviruses provide a unique model for studying cytokine-mediated immune regulation and disruption.