Viruses, Vol. 10, Pages 708: Modulation of Innate Immune Responses by the Influenza A NS1 and PA-X Proteins

Viruses, Vol. 10, Pages 708: Modulation of Innate Immune Responses by the Influenza A NS1 and PA-X Proteins Viruses doi: 10.3390/v10120708 Authors: Aitor Nogales Luis Martinez-Sobrido David J. Topham Marta L. DeDiego Influenza A viruses (IAV) can infect a broad range of animal hosts, including humans. In humans, IAV causes seasonal annual epidemics and occasional pandemics, representing a serious public health and economic problem, which is most effectively prevented through vaccination. The defense mechanisms that the host innate immune system provides restrict IAV replication and infection. Consequently, to successfully replicate in interferon (IFN)-competent systems, IAV has to counteract host antiviral activities, mainly the production of IFN and the activities of IFN-induced host proteins that inhibit virus replication. The IAV multifunctional proteins PA-X and NS1 are virulence factors that modulate the innate immune response and virus pathogenicity. Notably, these two viral proteins have synergistic effects in the inhibition of host protein synthesis in infected cells, although using different mechanisms of action. Moreover, the control of innate immune responses by the IAV NS1 and PA-X proteins is subject to a balance that can determine virus pathogenesis and fitness, and recent evidence shows co-evolution of these proteins in seasonal viruses, indicating that they should be monitored for enhanced virulence. Importantly, inhibition of host gene expressio...
Source: Viruses - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research