Structure and immunomodulatory activity of fowlpoxvirus proteins with cytokine-binding activity

To counteract the host immune response, the poxvirus genomes code for soluble cytokine-binding proteins that are secreted by infected cells. These viral factors can block the binding of cytokines to their cognate cellular receptor, thereby neutralizing cytokine activity. Virus-encoded soluble receptors have been found for type I and type II interferon, interleukin-1b, tumor necrosis factor and several chemokines. We were able to show that fowlpoxvirus codes for an interferon-g-neutralizing protein. We presently try to isolate the corresponding gene. Furthermore, we wish to identify other genes which are probably present in the fowlpoxvirus genome that may code for additional cytokine-binding proteins. We want to define the roles of these viral proteins during the antiviral immune response. Furthermore, we intend to study whether the host immune response can be manipulated by supplying recombinant cytokines or by deleting individual viral genes coding for cytokine-binding proteins. Insights gained from these studies are relevant for the development of new vaccination strategies in chickens that employ recombinant fowlpoxviruses as expression vectors.

Additional information: http://www.ukl.uni-freiburg.de/microbio
contact person: Prof. Dr. Peter Staeheli
Phone: (0761) 203-6579
Email: staeheli@ukl.uni-freiburg.de

Start of project: 01.01.1998
End of project: 31.03.2003

Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Stäheli Peter
Department für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene
Institut für Virologie
Hermann-Herder-Strasse 11
79104 Freiburg
Germany

Phone: +49 761 203 6534
Fax: +49 761 203 6626
http://www.virologie.uniklinik-freiburg.de
Actual Research Report

• DFG

Hühnerpockenvirus, Zytokine

• Puehler F., Weining K.C., Symons J.A., Smith G.L., Staeheli P.: Vaccinia virus-encoded cytokine receptor binds and neutralizes chicken interferon-gamma. Virology, 1998; 248: 231-240.