Innate immunity is the first line of defense against viruses. The activation of the antiviral state of infected cells results in the production of interferons and proinflammatory cytokines that lead to the maturation and recruitment of adaptive components. The differential expression of host genes decides the fate of the infection and the subsequent clinical outcome. Despite the plethora of host factors providing intrinsic defense, viruses have evolved multiple strategies to evade the system. The constant evolutionary battle between viruses and hosts results in the continuous emergence of novel countermeasures, that need to be researched and understood in detail. In order to do so, one attractive tool is the development of therapeutic approaches based on the restoration of innate immunity. Indeed, while genetic screening methods have accelerated the discovery of restriction and viral factors that regulate this battle, a molecular understanding of their mechanisms and the identification of molecules targeting the virus-immunity interface often remain elusive.
The goal of this Research Topic is to report the latest advances, current challenges, and future perspectives in the field of Innate Immunity, Viruses, and Antivirals. The Research Topic will encourage scientific discussion with the aim of integrating the present knowledge on the mechanistic insights on the virus-host immunity interaction. Considering the continuous emergence of infectious diseases, the deep characterization of the role that the virus-innate immune counteraction plays will provide better insight into viral pathogenicity leading to the development of novel intervention and therapeutic approaches aimed to restore the host immunity and control the infection at its early phase.
Innate immunity is the first line of defense against viruses. The activation of the antiviral state of infected cells results in the production of interferons and proinflammatory cytokines that lead to the maturation and recruitment of adaptive components. The differential expression of host genes decides the fate of the infection and the subsequent clinical outcome. Despite the plethora of host factors providing intrinsic defense, viruses have evolved multiple strategies to evade the system. The constant evolutionary battle between viruses and hosts results in the continuous emergence of novel countermeasures, that need to be researched and understood in detail. In order to do so, one attractive tool is the development of therapeutic approaches based on the restoration of innate immunity. Indeed, while genetic screening methods have accelerated the discovery of restriction and viral factors that regulate this battle, a molecular understanding of their mechanisms and the identification of molecules targeting the virus-immunity interface often remain elusive.
The goal of this Research Topic is to report the latest advances, current challenges, and future perspectives in the field of Innate Immunity, Viruses, and Antivirals. The Research Topic will encourage scientific discussion with the aim of integrating the present knowledge on the mechanistic insights on the virus-host immunity interaction. Considering the continuous emergence of infectious diseases, the deep characterization of the role that the virus-innate immune counteraction plays will provide better insight into viral pathogenicity leading to the development of novel intervention and therapeutic approaches aimed to restore the host immunity and control the infection at its early phase.