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The Temporal Role of Cytokines in Flavivirus Protection and Pathogenesis

  • Virology (A Nicola, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to feature several cytokine families and describe the roles they play in mediating protection or pathogenesis at the different stages of flavivirus infections. We highlight the similarities and differences in the roles these cytokines play in the different flaviviruses.

Recent Findings

Cytokines play a role at every stage in flaviviral disease. In the past 3 years, exciting work has been done showing immunomodulatory effects of arthropod saliva on infection, novel roles of cytokines like IFNγ and TNFα in controlling acute flaviviral infection, critical roles of type III IFNs in limiting viral spread particularly in the neurotropic or teratogenic flaviviruses, and the detrimental effects of the inflammasome in recovery from neurotropic flavivirus infection.

Summary

Disease induced by flaviviral infection is the result of the complex, cytokine-driven interactions between host, virus, and vector and is distinct at each stage of infection. Though flaviviruses are similar in phylogeny, the mechanisms by which they cause disease can be distinct. However, a common theme persists, in that dysregulation of cytokines can cause devastating effects for the host. A thorough understanding of these pathways is a critical step in the development of therapeutic treatments, antivirals, and vaccines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA

    Mariah Hassert, James D. Brien & Amelia K. Pinto

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  1. Mariah Hassert
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  2. James D. Brien
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  3. Amelia K. Pinto
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Correspondence to Amelia K. Pinto.

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Dr. Brien and Dr. Pinto reports grants from Emergent Biosolutions, outside the submitted work; .

Dr. Hassert has no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Virology

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Hassert, M., Brien, J.D. & Pinto, A.K. The Temporal Role of Cytokines in Flavivirus Protection and Pathogenesis. Curr Clin Micro Rpt 6, 25–33 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40588-018-0106-x

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