2. Academic Validation
  3. KSHV-encoded viral interferon regulatory factor 4 (vIRF4) interacts with IRF7 and inhibits interferon alpha production

KSHV-encoded viral interferon regulatory factor 4 (vIRF4) interacts with IRF7 and inhibits interferon alpha production

  • Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2017 May 6;486(3):700-705. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.101.
Sung-Woo Hwang 1,  DongIk Kim 1,  Jae U Jung 2,  Hye-Ra Lee 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, College of Science and Technology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea.
  • 2 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Zikha Neurogenic Institute, 1501 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
  • 3 Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, College of Science and Technology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: leehr@korea.ac.kr.
PMID: 28342865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.101
Abstract

Before an Infection can be completely established, the host immediately turns on the innate immune system through activating the interferon (IFN)-mediated Antiviral pathway. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) utilizes a unique antagonistic mechanism of type I IFN-mediated host Antiviral immunity by incorporating four viral interferon regulatory factors (vIRF1-4). Herein, we characterized novel immune evasion strategies of vIRF4 to inhibit the IRF7-mediated IFN-α production. KSHV vIRF4 specifically interacts with IRF7, resulting in inhibition of IRF7 dimerization and ultimately suppresses IRF7-mediated activation of type I IFN. These results suggest that each of the KSHV vIRFs, including vIRF4, subvert IFN-mediated anti-viral response via different mechanisms. Therefore, it is indicated that KSHV vIRFs are indeed a crucial immunomodulatory component of their life cycles.

Keywords

IFN-alpha; IRF7; Innate immunity; KSHV; vIRF4.

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