Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems

Interferons are an essential component of the innate arm of the immune system and are arguably one of the most important lines of defence against viruses. The human IFN system and its functionality has already been largely characterized and studied in detail. However, the IFN systems of bats have on...

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Main Authors: Emily Clayton, Muhammad Munir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.527921/full
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author Emily Clayton
Muhammad Munir
author_facet Emily Clayton
Muhammad Munir
author_sort Emily Clayton
collection DOAJ
description Interferons are an essential component of the innate arm of the immune system and are arguably one of the most important lines of defence against viruses. The human IFN system and its functionality has already been largely characterized and studied in detail. However, the IFN systems of bats have only been marginally examined to date up until the recent developments of the Bat1k project which have now opened new opportunities in research by identifying six new bat genomes to possess novel genes that are likely associated with viral tolerance exhibited in bats. Interestingly, bats have been hypothesized to possess the ability to establish a host-virus relationship where despite being infected, they exhibit limited signs of disease and still retain the ability to transmit the disease into other susceptible hosts. Bats are one of the most abundant and widespread vertebrates on the planet and host many zoonotic viruses that are highly pathogenic to humans. Several genomics, immunological, and biological features are thought to underlie novel antiviral mechanisms of bats. This review aims to explore the bat IFN system and developments in its diverse IFN features, focusing mainly on the model species, the Australian black flying fox (Pteropus alecto), while also highlighting bat innate immunity as an exciting and fruitful area of research to understand their ability to control viral-mediated pathogenesis.
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spelling doaj.art-798428ced0ca47269142ef8af7a516652022-12-21T20:17:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882020-12-011010.3389/fcimb.2020.527921527921Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon SystemsEmily ClaytonMuhammad MunirInterferons are an essential component of the innate arm of the immune system and are arguably one of the most important lines of defence against viruses. The human IFN system and its functionality has already been largely characterized and studied in detail. However, the IFN systems of bats have only been marginally examined to date up until the recent developments of the Bat1k project which have now opened new opportunities in research by identifying six new bat genomes to possess novel genes that are likely associated with viral tolerance exhibited in bats. Interestingly, bats have been hypothesized to possess the ability to establish a host-virus relationship where despite being infected, they exhibit limited signs of disease and still retain the ability to transmit the disease into other susceptible hosts. Bats are one of the most abundant and widespread vertebrates on the planet and host many zoonotic viruses that are highly pathogenic to humans. Several genomics, immunological, and biological features are thought to underlie novel antiviral mechanisms of bats. This review aims to explore the bat IFN system and developments in its diverse IFN features, focusing mainly on the model species, the Australian black flying fox (Pteropus alecto), while also highlighting bat innate immunity as an exciting and fruitful area of research to understand their ability to control viral-mediated pathogenesis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.527921/fullbatsinnate immunityinterferonshost-pathogen interactionvirus transmission
spellingShingle Emily Clayton
Muhammad Munir
Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
bats
innate immunity
interferons
host-pathogen interaction
virus transmission
title Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems
title_full Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems
title_fullStr Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems
title_full_unstemmed Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems
title_short Fundamental Characteristics of Bat Interferon Systems
title_sort fundamental characteristics of bat interferon systems
topic bats
innate immunity
interferons
host-pathogen interaction
virus transmission
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.527921/full
work_keys_str_mv AT emilyclayton fundamentalcharacteristicsofbatinterferonsystems
AT muhammadmunir fundamentalcharacteristicsofbatinterferonsystems