From the initial attachment to the final viral release from the cells, there is an active cross-talk between viral and host factors. Therefore, viral pathogenicity results from the differential modulation of cell signaling pathways mediated by the regulation of viral proteins. Thus viral determinants are not the only factor contributing to phenotypically diversity of clinical outcomes against viral infections and the host genetic background can determine the fate of the viral infection. Humans and viruses have co-evolved, resulting in a complex host-viral genetic relation. Part of this evolution is associated with the host's capacity to thrive by adapting the acquired immune response and the long-term genetic determinants associated with the innate immune response.
Animal populations are reservoirs of a vast number of viruses that, under certain conditions, can cross interspecies barriers and become a threat to the human population. Viruses, especially RNA, can have a high mutation rate due to inherited intrinsic genetic factors. These rapid genetic changes are likely evolutionary mechanism that allows them to complete the replication cycle and persistence in a specific host population. However, these genetic changes periodically lead to the production of a new variant that allows adaptation in new host species. The emergency of SARS-CoV-2 resulting in a global pandemia is one of the most recent examples. Other examples of seasonal viral mutation and adaptation include Influenza and Western Nile.
Genetic and genomic studies are considered highly versatile tools for analyzing and predicting the evolution and asses potential changes in pathogenic traits that can lead to the viral establishing in naïve populations or even predicting their zoonotic potential. The "omics" analysis, such as metagenomics, has also helped to discover and characterize new viruses in humans and different animal species. On the other hand, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) evaluates host variation that can predict potential resistance, susceptibility to different viral infections, and/or disease development through genetic markers.
Thus a combination of techniques and tools that allows not only the discovery of new animal viruses but the comprehensive study of their genomes and their interaction with the host by techniques, such as GWAS studies, will allow a better understanding of viral pathogenesis and development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. This Research Topic aims to present original research, commentaries, and reviews on pathogenesis of virus from an integral perspective such as:
• Studies of the initial interaction of viruses with different host genetics factors that lead to infection.
• New virus discovered from metagenomic analysis.
From the initial attachment to the final viral release from the cells, there is an active cross-talk between viral and host factors. Therefore, viral pathogenicity results from the differential modulation of cell signaling pathways mediated by the regulation of viral proteins. Thus viral determinants are not the only factor contributing to phenotypically diversity of clinical outcomes against viral infections and the host genetic background can determine the fate of the viral infection. Humans and viruses have co-evolved, resulting in a complex host-viral genetic relation. Part of this evolution is associated with the host's capacity to thrive by adapting the acquired immune response and the long-term genetic determinants associated with the innate immune response.
Animal populations are reservoirs of a vast number of viruses that, under certain conditions, can cross interspecies barriers and become a threat to the human population. Viruses, especially RNA, can have a high mutation rate due to inherited intrinsic genetic factors. These rapid genetic changes are likely evolutionary mechanism that allows them to complete the replication cycle and persistence in a specific host population. However, these genetic changes periodically lead to the production of a new variant that allows adaptation in new host species. The emergency of SARS-CoV-2 resulting in a global pandemia is one of the most recent examples. Other examples of seasonal viral mutation and adaptation include Influenza and Western Nile.
Genetic and genomic studies are considered highly versatile tools for analyzing and predicting the evolution and asses potential changes in pathogenic traits that can lead to the viral establishing in naïve populations or even predicting their zoonotic potential. The "omics" analysis, such as metagenomics, has also helped to discover and characterize new viruses in humans and different animal species. On the other hand, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) evaluates host variation that can predict potential resistance, susceptibility to different viral infections, and/or disease development through genetic markers.
Thus a combination of techniques and tools that allows not only the discovery of new animal viruses but the comprehensive study of their genomes and their interaction with the host by techniques, such as GWAS studies, will allow a better understanding of viral pathogenesis and development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. This Research Topic aims to present original research, commentaries, and reviews on pathogenesis of virus from an integral perspective such as:
• Studies of the initial interaction of viruses with different host genetics factors that lead to infection.
• New virus discovered from metagenomic analysis.