Host genetic susceptibility to viral infections: the role of type I interferon induction

Marie Bourdon (1) , Caroline Manet (1) , Xavier Montagutelli (1)

1 Génétique de la souris - Mouse Genetics

The innate immune response is the major front line of defense against viral infections. It involves hundreds of genes with antiviral properties which expression is induced by type I interferons (IFNs) and are therefore called interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). Type I IFNs are produced after viral recognition by pathogen recognition receptors, which trigger a cascade of activation events. Human and mouse studies have shown that defective type I IFNs induction may hamper the ability to control viral infections. In humans, moderate to high-effect variants have been identified in individuals with particularly severe complications following viral infection. In mice, functional studies using knock-out alleles have revealed the specific role of most genes of the IFN pathway. Here, we review the role of the molecular partners of the type I IFNs induction pathway and their implication in the control of viral infections and of their complications.

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Genetics; Animal genetics

Marie Bourdon, Caroline Manet, Xavier Montagutelli. Host genetic susceptibility to viral infections: the role of type I interferon induction. Genes and Immunity, 2020, ⟨10.1038/s41435-020-00116-2⟩. ⟨pasteur-03017356⟩