As a first line of defense after viral infection, host cells develop an intrinsic immune response to control virus dissemination and protect against serious infection. Recent experiments have shown a dominant role of the IFN-α/β response in protection against lethal West Nile virus (WNV) by limiting the cellular and tissue tropism of infection. This review will focus on advances in identifying the host sensors that detect WNV and the adaptor molecules and signaling pathways that regulate the induction of IFN-α/β defenses that limit WNV replication, spread and pathogenesis.

Keywords:
Infectious diseases, Innate immunity, Pathogen-associated molecular patterns, Pattern recognition, Toll-like receptor, Viral infection, Virus-host cell interactions
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© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
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