Viral-Host Interplay: Molecular Mechanisms of Immunity and Pathogenesis
A Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067) belonging to the section "Molecular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2026) | Viewed by 291
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Understanding the molecular dialog between viruses and their hosts is key to determining the outcome of viral infections, which can range from asymptomatic persistence to severe systemic disease. Despite their genetic minimalism, viruses have evolved sophisticated strategies to recognize, invade and replicate within host cells, as well as modulate them. Conversely, host organisms deploy multilayered immune mechanisms aimed at identifying and eliminating invading pathogens while preserving tissue integrity. This Special Issue summarizes the latest knowledge on this dynamic interplay, with a focus on recent insights into cellular recognition pathways, innate immune signaling, viral immune evasion and the molecular determinants of pathogenesis.
The host's initial response to viral invasion is primarily orchestrated by the innate immune system through pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like helicases and cytosolic DNA sensors, including cGAS. These sensors trigger signaling cascades that culminate in the production of type I and III interferons, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which then shape subsequent adaptive immunity. However, viruses have evolved countermeasures, including the cleavage of signaling adaptors by proteases, the sequestration or degradation of transcription factors, the epigenetic suppression of “antiviral” genes and the production of decoy proteins that mimic host molecules.
A critical component of the interaction between viruses and hosts is the adaptive immune response. Whether viral clearance or persistence ensues is determined by antigen processing and presentation pathways, T-cell activation thresholds, B-cell maturation dynamics and the development of immunological memory. Chronic viral infections, such as those caused by HIV, HBV and HCV, are paradigmatic examples of how viral regulatory proteins, mutational escape and immune exhaustion converge to undermine adaptive immunity.
Finally, we discuss the molecular mechanisms driving pathogenesis, highlighting that dysregulated immune responses, rather than direct viral cytotoxicity alone, often mediate tissue injury. Cytokine amplification loops, endothelial activation, disruption of barrier integrity and aberrant complement activation play a central role in severe manifestations of many viral infections, including hemorrhagic fevers and respiratory syndromes.
We hope that this Special Issue, which integrates concepts from molecular virology, immunology and cell biology, will provide a comprehensive framework for understanding viral–host interactions and their implications for disease severity, transmission dynamics and therapeutic intervention.
Dr. Jarosław Widelski
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- virus–host interaction
- innate immunity
- viral immune evasion
- pathogenesis
- pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)
- adaptive immunity
- antiviral defense
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