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Xie J, Cheng J, Ko H, Tang Y. Cytosolic DNA sensors in neurodegenerative diseases: from physiological defenders to pathological culprits. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:678-699. [PMID: 38467840 PMCID: PMC11018843 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00046-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic DNA sensors are a group of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that vary in structures, molecular mechanisms, and origins but share a common function to detect intracellular microbial DNA and trigger the innate immune response like type 1 interferon production and autophagy. Cytosolic DNA sensors have been proven as indispensable defenders against the invasion of many pathogens; however, growing evidence shows that self-DNA misplacement to cytoplasm also frequently occurs in non-infectious circumstances. Accumulation of cytosolic DNA causes improper activation of cytosolic DNA sensors and triggers an abnormal autoimmune response, that significantly promotes pathological progression. Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of neurological disorders characterized by neuron loss and still lack effective treatments due to a limited understanding of pathogenesis. But current research has found a solid relationship between neurodegenerative diseases and cytosolic DNA sensing pathways. This review summarizes profiles of several major cytosolic DNA sensors and their common adaptor protein STING. It also discusses both the beneficial and detrimental roles of cytosolic DNA sensors in the genesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatian Xie
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Brain Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China
| | - Jinping Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Brain Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China
| | - Ho Ko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics & Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yamei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Brain Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China.
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Suptela AJ, Radwan Y, Richardson C, Yan S, Afonin KA, Marriott I. cGAS Mediates the Inflammatory Responses of Human Microglial Cells to Genotoxic DNA Damage. Inflammation 2024; 47:822-836. [PMID: 38148453 PMCID: PMC11073916 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01946-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability is a key driving force for the development and progression of many age-related neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system (CNS) cancers. Recently, the cytosolic DNA sensor, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), has been shown to detect and respond to self-DNA accumulation resulting from DNA damaging insults in peripheral cell types. cGAS has been shown to be important in the responses of microglia to DNA viruses and amyloid beta, and we have reported that it underlies the responses of human microglia to exogenous DNA. However, the role of this cytosolic sensor in the detection of self-DNA by glia is poorly understood and its ability to mediate the cellular responses of human microglia to genotoxic DNA damage has not been established. Here, we describe the ability of ionizing radiation and oxidative stress to elicit genomic DNA damage in human microglial cells and to stimulate the production of key inflammatory mediators by these cells in an NF-kB dependent manner. Importantly, we have utilized CRISPR/Cas9 and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches and a pharmacological inhibitor of the cGAS adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING) to demonstrate that the cGAS-STING pathway plays a critical role in the generation of these microglial immune responses to such genotoxic insults. Together, these studies support the notion that cGAS mediates the detection of cytosolic self-DNA by microglia, providing a potential mechanism linking genomic instability to the development of CNS cancers and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Suptela
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Yasmine Radwan
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Christine Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Shan Yan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Ian Marriott
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
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Suptela AJ, Marriott I. Cytosolic DNA sensors and glial responses to endogenous DNA. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130172. [PMID: 36999037 PMCID: PMC10043442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is a key driving force for the development and progression of many neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system (CNS) cancers. The initiation of DNA damage responses is a critical step in maintaining genomic integrity and preventing such diseases. However, the absence of these responses or their inability to repair genomic or mitochondrial DNA damage resulting from insults, including ionizing radiation or oxidative stress, can lead to an accumulation of self-DNA in the cytoplasm. Resident CNS cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, are known to produce critical immune mediators following CNS infection due to the recognition of pathogen and damage-associated molecular patterns by specialized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Recently, multiple intracellular PRRs, including cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, interferon gamma-inducible 16, absent in melanoma 2, and Z-DNA binding protein, have been identified as cytosolic DNA sensors and to play critical roles in glial immune responses to infectious agents. Intriguingly, these nucleic acid sensors have recently been shown to recognize endogenous DNA and trigger immune responses in peripheral cell types. In the present review, we discuss the available evidence that cytosolic DNA sensors are expressed by resident CNS cells and can mediate their responses to the presence of self-DNA. Furthermore, we discuss the potential for glial DNA sensor-mediated responses to provide protection against tumorigenesis versus the initiation of potentially detrimental neuroinflammation that could initiate or foster the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Determining the mechanisms that underlie the detection of cytosolic DNA by glia and the relative role of each pathway in the context of specific CNS disorders and their stages may prove pivotal in our understanding of the pathogenesis of such conditions and might be leveraged to develop new treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian Marriott
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
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Plasmid-mediated gene transfer of Cas9 induces vector-related but not SpCas9-related immune responses in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13202. [PMID: 35915300 PMCID: PMC9343442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17269-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system represents a powerful gene-editing tool and could enable treatment of blinding diseases of the retina. As a peptide of bacterial origin, we investigated the immunogenic potential of Cas9 in models of retinal immunocompetent cells: human microglia (IMhu) and ARPE-19 cells. Transfection with Streptococcus pyogenes-Cas9 expression plasmids (SpCas9 plasmid) induced Cas9 protein expression in both cell lines. However, only ARPE-19 cells, not IMhu cells, responded with pro-inflammatory immune responses as evidenced by the upregulation of IL-8, IL-6, and the cellular activation markers HLA-ABC and CD54 (ICAM). These pro-inflammatory responses were also induced through transfection with equally sized non-coding control plasmids. Moreover, viability rates of ARPE-19 cells were reduced after transfection with both the SpCas9 plasmids and the control plasmids. Although these results demonstrate cell type-specific responses to the DNA plasmid vector, they show no evidence of an immunogenic effect due to the presence of Cas9 in models of human retinal pigment epithelial and microglia cells. These findings add another layer of confidence in the immunological safety of potential future Cas9-mediated retinal gene therapies.
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Jeffries AM, Suptela AJ, Marriott I. Z-DNA binding protein 1 mediates necroptotic and apoptotic cell death pathways in murine astrocytes following herpes simplex virus-1 infection. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:109. [PMID: 35549723 PMCID: PMC9103380 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02469-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mechanisms by which glia respond to viral central nervous system (CNS) pathogens are now becoming apparent with the demonstration that microglia and astrocytes express an array of pattern recognition receptors that include intracellular RNA and DNA sensors. We have previously demonstrated that glia express Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) and showed that this cytosolic nucleic acid sensor contributes to the inflammatory/neurotoxic responses of these cells to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). However, the relative contribution made by ZBP1- to HSV-1-mediated cell death in glia has not been determined. Methods We have investigated the relative contribution made by ZBP1- to HSV-1-mediated cell death in primary astrocytes derived from mice genetically deficient in this sensor. We have used capture ELISAs and immunoblot analysis to assess inflammatory cytokine production and ZBP1 and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) expression levels, respectively, following HSV-1 challenge. Furthermore, we have used a commercially available cell viability assay to determine the proportion and rate of cell death in cells following infection with laboratory and neuroinvasive clinical strains of HSV-1, and pharmacological inhibitors of necroptotic and apoptotic pathway components to assess the relative role of each. Results We show that the loss of ZBP1 in astrocytes results in an increase in the number of viral particles released following HSV-1 infection. Importantly, we have confirmed that HSV-1 induces necroptosis in astrocytes and have established the ability of ZBP1 to mediate this cell death pathway. Interestingly, while ZBP1 is best known for its role in necroptotic signaling, our findings indicate that this sensor can also contribute to virally induced apoptosis in these glia. Conclusions Our findings indicate that ZBP1 serves as a restriction factor for HSV-1 infection and is associated with the induction of both necroptotic and apoptotic cell death pathways in primary murine astrocytes. While it remains to be seen whether ZBP1-mediated activation of cell death in astrocytes contributes significantly to host protection or, rather, exacerbates HSV-1 encephalitis pathology, the identification of such a role in resident CNS cells may represent a novel target for therapeutic intervention to reduce HSV encephalitis-associated morbidity and mortality. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02469-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M Jeffries
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Alexander J Suptela
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Ian Marriott
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA.
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O'Brien CA, Bennett FC, Bennett ML. Microglia in antiviral immunity of the brain and spinal cord. Semin Immunol 2022; 60:101650. [PMID: 36099864 PMCID: PMC9934594 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2022.101650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are a significant cause of neurological impairment and mortality worldwide. As tissue resident macrophages, microglia are critical initial responders to CNS viral infection. Microglia seem to coordinate brain-wide antiviral responses of both brain resident cells and infiltrating immune cells. This review discusses how microglia may promote this antiviral response at a molecular level, from potential mechanisms of virus recognition to downstream cytokine responses and interaction with antiviral T cells. Recent advancements in genetic tools to specifically target microglia in vivo promise to further our understanding about the precise mechanistic role of microglia in CNS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carleigh A O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States.
| | - F Chris Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States; Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Mariko L Bennett
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
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Mielcarska MB, Skowrońska K, Wyżewski Z, Toka FN. Disrupting Neurons and Glial Cells Oneness in the Brain-The Possible Causal Role of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010242. [PMID: 35008671 PMCID: PMC8745046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current data strongly suggest herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in the brain as a contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The consequences of HSV-1 brain infection are multilateral, not only are neurons and glial cells damaged, but modifications also occur in their environment, preventing the transmission of signals and fulfillment of homeostatic and immune functions, which can greatly contribute to the development of disease. In this review, we discuss the pathological alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) cells that occur, following HSV-1 infection. We describe the changes in neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes related to the production of inflammatory factors, transition of glial cells into a reactive state, oxidative damage, Aβ secretion, tau hyperphosphorylation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Further, HSV-1 infection can affect processes observed during brain aging, and advanced age favors HSV-1 reactivation as well as the entry of the virus into the brain. The host activates pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) for an effective antiviral response during HSV-1 brain infection, which primarily engages type I interferons (IFNs). Future studies regarding the influence of innate immune deficits on AD development, as well as supporting the neuroprotective properties of glial cells, would reveal valuable information on how to harness cytotoxic inflammatory milieu to counter AD initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matylda Barbara Mielcarska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Jana Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-59-36063
| | - Katarzyna Skowrońska
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Adolfa Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Zbigniew Wyżewski
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Felix Ngosa Toka
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Jana Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre 42123, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Nitika, Wei J, Hui AM. The Development of mRNA Vaccines for Infectious Diseases: Recent Updates. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:5271-5285. [PMID: 34916811 PMCID: PMC8668227 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s341694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNA-based technologies have been of interest for the past few years to be used for therapeutics. Several mRNA vaccines for various diseases have been in preclinical and clinical stages. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of mRNA vaccines has transformed modern science. Recently, two major mRNA vaccines have been developed and approved by global health authorities for administration on the general population for protection against SARS-CoV-2. They have been proven to be successful in conferring protection against the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants. This will draw attention to various mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases that are in the early stages of clinical trials. mRNA vaccines offer several advantages ranging from rapid design, generation, manufacturing, and administration and have strong potential to be used against various diseases in the future. Here, we summarize the mRNA-based vaccines in development against various infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitika
- Fosun Pharma USA Inc., Boston, MA, USA.,Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development, Co., Ltd., Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Wei
- Fosun Pharma USA Inc., Boston, MA, USA.,Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development, Co., Ltd., Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ai-Min Hui
- Fosun Pharma USA Inc., Boston, MA, USA.,Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development, Co., Ltd., Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Jeffries AM, Marriott I. Cytosolic DNA Sensors and CNS Responses to Viral Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:576263. [PMID: 33042875 PMCID: PMC7525022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.576263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral central nervous system (CNS) infections can lead to life threatening encephalitis and long-term neurological deficits in survivors. Resident CNS cell types, such as astrocytes and microglia, are known to produce key inflammatory and antiviral mediators following infection with neurotropic DNA viruses. However, the mechanisms by which glia mediate such responses remain poorly understood. Recently, a class of intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), collectively known as DNA sensors, have been identified in both leukocytic and non-leukocytic cell types. The ability of such DNA sensors to initiate immune mediator production and contribute to infection resolution in the periphery is increasingly recognized, but our understanding of their role in the CNS remains limited at best. In this review, we describe the evidence for the expression and functionality of DNA sensors in resident brain cells, with a focus on their role in neurotropic virus infections. The available data indicate that glia and neurons can constitutively express, and/or can be induced to express, various disparate DNA sensing molecules previously described in peripheral cell types. Furthermore, multiple lines of investigation suggest that these sensors are functional in resident CNS cells and are required for innate immune responses to viral infections. However, it is less clear whether DNA sensormediated glial responses are beneficial or detrimental, and the answer to this question appears to dependent on the context of the infection with regard to the identity of the pathogen, host cell type, and host species. Defining such parameters will be essential if we are to successfully target these molecules to limit damaging inflammation while allowing beneficial host responses to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M Jeffries
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Ian Marriott
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
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Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Interactions with the Interferon System. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145150. [PMID: 32708188 PMCID: PMC7404291 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interferon (IFN) system is one of the first lines of defense activated against invading viral pathogens. Upon secretion, IFNs activate a signaling cascade resulting in the production of several interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), which work to limit viral replication and establish an overall anti-viral state. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is a ubiquitous human pathogen that has evolved to downregulate the IFN response and establish lifelong latent infection in sensory neurons of the host. This review will focus on the mechanisms by which the host innate immune system detects invading HSV-1 virions, the subsequent IFN response generated to limit viral infection, and the evasion strategies developed by HSV-1 to evade the immune system and establish latency in the host.
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