Intrinsic Immunity vs. Viral Antagonism: Which One Bites the Dust?

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue invites mechanistic studies on intrinsic immunity and viral antagonism during the viral replication cycle. We welcome papers that define the balance between these processes at membranes, in the cytoplasm, and in the nucleus, and their consequences for fusion and entry, intracellular trafficking, genome delivery, gene expression, assembly, release, and cell-to-cell spread. Areas of interest include ubiquitin and trafficking pathways, envelope glycoprotein downregulation, capsid sensing, nucleic acid editing and metabolism, epigenetic silencing, and interferon-inducible pathways.

We particularly invite work on APOBEC3, TRIM family members, BST-2/tetherin, SAMHD1, MX2, SERINC5, MARCH8, IFITMs, GBP5, Smc5/6, and related factors, together with viral antagonists such as Vif, Vpu, Nef, Vpx, HBx, and counterparts in other viruses. Comparative and evolutionary analyses that clarify species barriers and zoonotic potential are encouraged. Suitable approaches range from standard methods (transfection, infection/transduction, reporter assays, protein expression, and mutagenesis) to advanced techniques, including CRISPR screening and genome editing, proteomics, structural analyses, single-cell and spatial analyses, live-cell imaging, and organoid systems.

Original research, reviews, short communications, and methods papers are welcome.

Dr. Akatsuki Saito
Dr. Kenzo Tokunaga
Guest Editors

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