Editorial on special issue on “Immunobiology of Viral Infections”

Excerpt

A host cell has many ways how to interfere with invading viral pathogens. The fastest reaction is provided by the innate immunity, but also the adaptive immunity plays an important role to control viral replication. In the first case, viruses can be recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) or cytosolic sensors, which then trigger production and release of interferons (IFNs) and upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes, which further block viral replication by distinct mechanisms. For efficient replication, viruses, however, have evolved counteracting mechanisms. Thus, those virus-host interactions culminate in an arms-race with the host, which also leave genetic imprints on both, the viral genes and the antiviral host genes. From the viral point of view, it is of course necessary to overcome limitations imposed by the host. The aim of this special issue is to provide the readers the latest findings concerning the immunobiology of viral infections. …