evasion of interferon responses by herpes viruses

Abstract

Mammalian hosts have developed a highly effective anti-viral strategy that uses interferons (signaling molecules). The recognition of a virus by the wide arsenal of detection receptors that lead to the induction of interferons, invoke multiple effector and warning cascades. These cascades give rise to an anti-viral state of the cell and educate the professional (adaptive) killer cells. Herpes viruses form an ancient class of human pathogens that have evolved a counterarsenal to deal with the host defense strategies. This class of viruses is quite effective in their strategies to evade the host defenses, as they persist in the host. This thesis provides part of the answer to the question how herpes viruses stay under the radar from the immune system. It focuses on the initial infection and the intracellular race between the interferon system and herpes virus evasion.