Viral interactions with the innate immune system
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Project Leader
Associate Professor Patrick Reading+61 3 9342 9326
Project Details
Our research is also directed towards understanding how viruses evolve to evade innate immune defenses and therefore induce disease, with particular focus on influenza virus. We have analysed the glycosylation patterns and sialic acid preferences of different influenza strains and the juxtaposition between their decreased susceptibility to antibody-mediated immunity and increased susceptibility to soluble innate factors of the immune system. In addition we are investigating the entry requirements of influenza virus, examining the mechanisms by which C-type lectin receptors and other internalisation receptors facilitate infection. We aim to exploit these mechanisms and defenses to generate novel intervention strategies that can be used to alleviate severe disease. For further information see: A/Prof Patrick Reading.
Figure 1: Lec2-Langerin cells stained with Langerin (green), clatherin (red) and DAPI (blue).