Innate immunity, mediated by interferons (IFNs), is the first line of host immune protection against viral infection. In the vertebrates, host cells respond to IFN exposure by rapid induction of several hundreds of genes, termed IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). These ISGs interfere with almost every step of the viral life cycle from cellular entry, replication, assembly to egress. However, some ISGs could be hijacked by viruses for productive replication and viruses have evolved multiple mechanisms to evade specific ISGs’ actions. Therefore, studies of the complex interactions between ISGs and viruses have always been the forefront of viral immunology. It is of great significance to elucidate the function and molecular mechanisms of action of known ISGs in vitro or in vivo. It is also imperative to identify new ISGs and elucidate their functions and interactions with viruses. These studies will provide insights into viral pathogenesis, the scientific basis for novel vaccine design, and new targets for antiviral drug development.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a forum to better understand the interferon-mediated innate immunity against viral infection. The scope includes the functions and mechanisms of existing interferon-induced genes (ISGs), methodologies to identify and characterize new ISGs, and different strategies that viruses have evolved to employ to dodge the host IFN response. We welcome manuscripts from the following subtopics:
1) Molecular mechanisms of action of existing ISGs
2) Discovery and characterization of new ISGs
3) Molecular mechanisms of activation or evasion of IFNs and ISGs by viruses
4) Cellular regulation of IFN and ISG signaling and activity during viral infection
Innate immunity, mediated by interferons (IFNs), is the first line of host immune protection against viral infection. In the vertebrates, host cells respond to IFN exposure by rapid induction of several hundreds of genes, termed IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). These ISGs interfere with almost every step of the viral life cycle from cellular entry, replication, assembly to egress. However, some ISGs could be hijacked by viruses for productive replication and viruses have evolved multiple mechanisms to evade specific ISGs’ actions. Therefore, studies of the complex interactions between ISGs and viruses have always been the forefront of viral immunology. It is of great significance to elucidate the function and molecular mechanisms of action of known ISGs in vitro or in vivo. It is also imperative to identify new ISGs and elucidate their functions and interactions with viruses. These studies will provide insights into viral pathogenesis, the scientific basis for novel vaccine design, and new targets for antiviral drug development.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a forum to better understand the interferon-mediated innate immunity against viral infection. The scope includes the functions and mechanisms of existing interferon-induced genes (ISGs), methodologies to identify and characterize new ISGs, and different strategies that viruses have evolved to employ to dodge the host IFN response. We welcome manuscripts from the following subtopics:
1) Molecular mechanisms of action of existing ISGs
2) Discovery and characterization of new ISGs
3) Molecular mechanisms of activation or evasion of IFNs and ISGs by viruses
4) Cellular regulation of IFN and ISG signaling and activity during viral infection
