Prior infection with unrelated neurotropic virus exacerbates influenza disease and impairs lung T cell responses.

Immunity to infectious diseases is predominantly studied by measuring immune responses towards a single pathogen, although co-infections are common. In-depth mechanisms on how co-infections impact anti-viral immunity are lacking, but are highly relevant to treatment and prevention. We established a mouse model of co-infection with unrelated viruses, influenza A (IAV) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV), causing disease in different organ systems.

Mosquito transgenerational antiviral immunity is mediated by vertical transfer of virus DNA sequences and RNAi.

Mosquitoes are important vectors for transmission of many viruses of public and veterinary health concern. These viruses most commonly have an RNA genome and infect mosquitoes for life. The principal mosquito antiviral response is the RNAi system which destroys virus RNA.

In Semliki Forest virus encephalitis, suppressor of cytokine signaling 4 (SOCS4) is an essential modulator of immune responses that mediates the balance between immunopathology and virus clearance.

Central nervous system virus infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a significant global public health concern. As in many tissues, inflammation and immune responses in the brain, despite their protective roles, can also be harmful. Control of brain inflammation is important in many neurological diseases from encephalitis to multiple sclerosis and neurogenerative disease.

Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling 5 (SOCS5) Modulates Inflammatory Responses during Alphavirus Infection.

CNS viral infections are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a significant global public health concern. Uncontrolled inflammation and immune responses in the brain, despite their protective roles, can also be harmful. The suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins is one of the key mechanisms controlling inflammatory and immune responses across all tissues including the brain.

Immature Brain Cortical Neurons Have Low Transcriptional Competence to Activate Antiviral Defences and Control RNA Virus Infections.

Virus infections of the central nervous system (CNS) cause important diseases of humans and animals. As in other tissues, innate antiviral responses mediated by type I interferons (IFNs) are crucially important in controlling CNS virus infections. The maturity of neuronal populations is an established critical factor determining the outcome of CNS virus infection.