SARS-CoV-2 und das antivirale Interferonsystem (SARS2_IFN) [Google Tranlate: SARS-CoV-2 and the antiviral interferon system (SARS2_IFN)]

Type I interferons (IFN-alpha / beta) and other cytokines represent the first line of defense against viral infections. IFN activates the expression of more than 300 so-called ISGs (IFN-stimulated genes), some of which are able to deliver viruses directly inhibit. Pathogenic viruses often prevent the induction of IFN, block the signaling triggered by IFN or specifically inactivate individual ISGs. They can also trigger the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The quality and strength of IFN and cytokine induction, IFN evasion, and IFS sensitivity, collectively known as the Innate Immunity phenotype, is an important marker of virulence. The aim of our subproject is to establish systems for the detection of the Innate Immunity phenotype of pre-pandemic respiratory viruses in order to be able to carry out a rapid risk assessment. For this purpose, we will measure the activation of cytokines (including IFN) and antiviral ISGs and create an IFN sensitivity profile for each virus examined. In addition, we will generate a library of ISG-expressing cell lines in order to identify specific ISG resistances and sensitivities. The now largely established systems are now to be applied to the new SARS-CoV-2.