Viral infections as risk factors in chronic inflammatory disease
Viral infections as risk factors in chronic inflammatory disease
Rossi M, Castiglioni P, Hartley MA, Eren RO, Prével F, Desponds C, Utzschneider DT, Zehn D, Cusi MG, Kuhlmann FM, Beverley SM, Ronet C, Fasel N.
Our immune system produces signaling molecules termed cytokines. The type I interferons (IFN I) are a family of cytokines that help in the regulation of the immune system and are important for our defense against viral infections and tumors. Abnormal IFN I presence has been associated with various autoimmune diseases and inflammation. The mechanism for type I IFN induction and the functional consequence is critical for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune and viral associated diseases and inflammation.
This work describes a study published in PNAS (put link to NF’s Serval as under embargo till 24/10/17 ) where the authors analysed IFN levels in a viral co-infection model of a chronic inflammatory infection.
The authors suggest that viral coinfection and prior exposure to type I IFNs could be a risk factor for relapses of infection and reactivation of inflammation. The model could thus be useful to test and develop an immunotherapeutic approach for chronic inflammatory diseases where type I IFNs plays a role.
Key idea/result:
The presence of Type I interferons and a virus as predictors of chronic inflammatory disease and a model to test potential therapeutics.
Author:
Matteo Rossi held a Postdoctoral position with Nicolas Fasel at the University of Lausanne where he pursued his interest in identifying risk factors in inflammatory diseases.
Key words:
- Cytokine
- Inflammation
- Autoimmune
- Metastasis
- Virus
- Leishmania
