scholarly journals Switching Sides: How Endogenous RetrovirusesProtect us from Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smitha Srinivasachar Badarinarayan ◽  
Daniel Sauter
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Dark Matter ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Antiviral Immune Response ◽  
Cellular Immune ◽  
Antiviral Gene

Long disregarded as junk DNA or genomic dark matter, endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) turned out to represent important components of the antiviral immune response. These remnants of once-infectious retroviruses not only regulate cellular immune activation, but may even directly target invading viral pathogens. In this review, we summarize mechanisms, by which retroviral fossils protect us from viral infections. One focus will be on recent advances in the role of ERVs as regulators of antiviral gene expression.

scholarly journals Role of MicroRNA in the Lung's Innate Immune Response

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor S. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immune Response ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Influence Gene Expression

The immune response to respiratory pathogens must be robust enough to defend the host yet properly constrained such that inflammation-induced tissue damage is avoided. MicroRNA (miRNA) are small noncoding RNA which posttranscriptionally influence gene expression. In this review, we discuss recent experimental evidence of the contribution of miRNA to the lung's response to bacterial and viral pathogens.

scholarly journals HERC5 and the ISGylation Pathway: Critical Modulators of the Antiviral Immune Response

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Mathieu ◽  
Ermela Paparisto ◽  
Stephen D. Barr ◽  
Donald E. Spratt
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Viral Proteins ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Antiviral Immune Response ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Interferon Stimulated Gene 15

Mammalian cells have developed an elaborate network of immunoproteins that serve to identify and combat viral pathogens. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a 15.2 kDa tandem ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) that is used by specific E1–E2–E3 ubiquitin cascade enzymes to interfere with the activity of viral proteins. Recent biochemical studies have demonstrated how the E3 ligase HECT and RCC1-containing protein 5 (HERC5) regulates ISG15 signaling in response to hepatitis C (HCV), influenza-A (IAV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections. Taken together, the potent antiviral activity displayed by HERC5 and ISG15 make them promising drug targets for the development of novel antiviral therapeutics that can augment the host antiviral response. In this review, we examine the emerging role of ISG15 in antiviral immunity with a particular focus on how HERC5 orchestrates the specific and timely ISGylation of viral proteins in response to infection.

scholarly journals The value of toll-like receptors in predicting the activation of latent herpesvirus infection during pregnancy

2021 ◽  
pp. 185-189
Author(s):  
T. N. Savchenko ◽  
L. A. Ozolinya ◽  
M. I. Agayeva ◽  
M. Yu. Shmorgunova ◽  
E. D. Golovko
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Local Level ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Toll Like Receptors ◽  
Herpesvirus Infection ◽  
Antiviral Immune Response ◽  
Cytokine Levels

Introduction. Recurrent pregnancy loss is a pathological condition characterized by inevitable miscarriage before 22 weeks of pregnancy or at birth of a fetus below 500 g of weight. The causes of miscarriage are quite diverse, and viral infections, including herpesvirus infection (HVI), is one of the important etiological factors for the development of this pathology. Activation of herpesvirus infection (HVI) has an extremely adverse effect on the course of pregnancy. The issue of the mechanism of reactivation of herpes viruses (HS) and the role of toll-like receptors (TLR) in predicting the activation of latent HVI during pregnancy has been insufficiently studied until the present. The study is aimed at evaluating the possibilities of predicting the activation of latent herpesvirus infection during pregnancy.Materials and methods. A total of 110 pregnant women with different courses of HVI were examined. The examination included the study of the TLR expression level and measurement of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels.Results and discussion. Given the high specificity of TLR8 and the interferon system (IFN) against viral antigens, it can be assumed that the activation of TLR and the development of early cytokine reactions prior to the detection of specific antibodies in patients with latent HVI are predictors of advanced herpes infection. The levels of TLR8 expression and concentration of IFN-γ and IL-10 at the local level in patients with latent BBVI can be regarded as predictors of the transition of HBV from the latent phase of the life cycle to the lytic phase.Conclusion. If HVI develops actively during pregnancy, the antiviral immune response cascade that underlie the natural immune response starts at the local level, regardless of the localization of the antigen, and only a breakdown of the compensatory and adaptive mechanisms leads to the implementation of a systemic antiviral immune response. This suggests the important role of HVI, especially of its active forms, in the suppression of immunity during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Role of Virally-Encoded Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Regulation of the Virus Life Cycle

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4438
Author(s):  
Jessica Proulx ◽  
Kathleen Borgmann ◽  
In-Woo Park
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Deubiquitinating Enzyme ◽  
Deubiquitinating Enzymes ◽  
Antiviral Immune Response ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Virus Life Cycle ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Dependent Processes

The ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system (UPS) plays a pivotal role in regulation of numerous cellular processes, including innate and adaptive immune responses that are essential for restriction of the virus life cycle in the infected cells. Deubiquitination by the deubiquitinating enzyme, deubiquitinase (DUB), is a reversible molecular process to remove Ub or Ub chains from the target proteins. Deubiquitination is an integral strategy within the UPS in regulating survival and proliferation of the infecting virus and the virus-invaded cells. Many viruses in the infected cells are reported to encode viral DUB, and these vial DUBs actively disrupt cellular Ub-dependent processes to suppress host antiviral immune response, enhancing virus replication and thus proliferation. This review surveys the types of DUBs encoded by different viruses and their molecular processes for how the infecting viruses take advantage of the DUB system to evade the host immune response and expedite their replication.

scholarly journals Trace Elements as Immunoregulators in SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthick Dharmalingam ◽  
Amandeep Birdi ◽  
Sojit Tomo ◽  
Karli Sreenivasulu ◽  
Jaykaran Charan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Trace Elements ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Antioxidants Activity ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Downstream Processes

AbstractNutritional deficiency is associated with impaired immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. The complex interactions of trace elements with the macromolecules trigger the effective immune response against the viral diseases. The outcome of various viral infections along with susceptibility is affected by trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, etc. due to their immuno-modulatory effects. Available electronic databases have been comprehensively searched for articles published with full text available and with the key words “Trace elements”, “COVID-19”, “Viral Infections” and “Immune Response” (i.e. separately Zn, Se, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cr, Li, Ni, Co) appearing in the title and abstract. On the basis of available articles we have explored the role of trace elements in viral infections with special reference to COVID-19 and their interactions with the immune system. Zinc, selenium and other trace elements are vital to triggerTH1 cells and cytokine-mediated immune response for substantial production of proinflammatory cytokines. The antiviral activity of some trace elements is attributed to their inhibitory effect on viral entry, replication and other downstream processes. Trace elements having antioxidants activity not only regulate host immune responses, but also modify the viral genome. Adequate dietary intake of trace elements is essential for activation, development, differentiation and numerous functions.

scholarly journals The Role of Micronutrients in Support of the Immune Response against Viral Infections

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Pecora ◽  
Federica Persico ◽  
Alberto Argentiero ◽  
Cosimo Neglia ◽  
Susanna Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
The Impact

Viral infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the importance of public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations in reducing their spread is well established. Furthermore, it is well known that proper nutrition can help support optimal immune function, reducing the impact of infections. Several vitamins and trace elements play an important role in supporting the cells of the immune system, thus increasing the resistance to infections. Other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, help sustain optimal function of the immune system. The main aim of this manuscript is to discuss of the potential role of micronutrients supplementation in supporting immunity, particularly against respiratory virus infections. Literature analysis showed that in vitro and observational studies, and clinical trials, highlight the important role of vitamins A, C, and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc in modulating the immune response. Supplementation with vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc appears to be a safe and low-cost way to support optimal function of the immune system, with the potential to reduce the risk and consequences of infection, including viral respiratory infections. Supplementation should be in addition to a healthy diet and fall within recommended upper safety limits set by scientific expert bodies. Therefore, implementing an optimal nutrition, with micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, might be a cost-effective, underestimated strategy to help reduce the burden of infectious diseases worldwide, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

scholarly journals Collaborative Cross Founder Expression Analysis (CCFEA)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R Green ◽  
Renee C Ireton ◽  
Martin Ferris ◽  
Kathleen Muenzen ◽  
David R Crosslin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Expression Data ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Collaborative Cross ◽  
Visualization Tool ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Individual Gene ◽  
Rnaseq Data

To understand the role of genetic variation in SARS and Influenza infections we developed CCFEA, a shiny visualization tool using public RNAseq data from the collaborative cross (CC) founder strains (A/J, C57BL/6J, 129s1/SvImJ, NOD/ShILtJ, NZO/HILtJ, CAST/EiJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ). Individual gene expression data is displayed across founders, viral infections and days post infection.

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