Limiting Respiratory Viral Infection by Targeting Antiviral and Immunological Functions of BST-2/Tetherin: Knowledge and Gaps

Kayla N. Berry, Daniel L. Kober, Alvin Su, Tom J. Brett

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent findings regarding the cellular biology and immunology of BST-2 (also known as tetherin) indicate that its function could be exploited as a universal replication inhibitor of enveloped respiratory viruses (e.g., influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.). BST-2 inhibits viral replication by preventing virus budding from the plasma membrane and by inducing an antiviral state in cells adjacent to infection via unique inflammatory signaling mechanisms. This review presents the first comprehensive summary of what is currently known about BST-2 anti-viral function against respiratory viruses, how these viruses construct countermeasures to antagonize BST-2, and how BST-2 function might be targeted to develop therapies to treat respiratory virus infections. The authors address the current gaps in knowledge, including the need for mechanistic understanding of BST-2 antagonism by respiratory viruses, that should be bridged to achieve that goal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1800086
JournalBioEssays
Volume40
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • antiviral
  • influenza
  • innate immunity
  • interferon
  • respiratory infections
  • respiratory viruses

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Limiting Respiratory Viral Infection by Targeting Antiviral and Immunological Functions of BST-2/Tetherin: Knowledge and Gaps'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this