Regulation of antiviral and antimicrobial innate immunity and immune evasion

Abstract

The interplay between host innate immunity and pathogen evasion is a dynamic battle shaping infection outcomes. The Topical Collection "Regulation of Antiviral and Antimicrobial Innate Immunity and Immune Evasion" synthesizes findings from thirteen recent studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of innate immune signaling and pathogen countermeasures. Host pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), and DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), drive type I interferon (IFN-I) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) responses, alongside processes like autophagy and inflammasome activation, to combat viral and bacterial infections. Pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), cytomegalovirus, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, deploy sophisticated strategies to target immune sensors and adaptors, enabling replication and persistence. Novel insights, including the roles of ISG15, autophagy protein ATG7, and host factors such as THAP11 and PSMB4, highlight complex interactions influencing viral replication and host defense. These studies propose targeted therapeutic strategies, such as inflammasome modulation for human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), and prostaglandin E2 regulation for foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine production, offering promising avenues to enhance host immunity and counter pathogen evasion.