Sandfly Fever Viruses Attenuate the Type I Interferon Response by Targeting the Phosphorylation of JAK-STAT Components

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.865797
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01T13:52:29Z
• Authors: Yarden Moalem; Yehonathan Malis; Konstantin Voloshin; Anna Dukhovny; Koret Hirschberg; Ella H. Sklan
• Keywords: STAT1; Sandfly; Phlebovirus

Sandfly fever viruses are emerging Phleboviruses typically causing mild febrile illness. Some strains, however, can cause severe and occasionally fatal neuro-invasive disease. Like most viruses, have devised various strategies to inhibit the type I interferon (IFN) response support a productive infection. Still, of identified so far focus on inhibiting sensing arm IFN response. In contrast, effect sandfly virus infection signaling from receptor is less characterized. Therefore, we tested Naples (SFNV) Sicily (SFSV) signaling. We found that with either these inhibits by STAT1 phosphorylation nuclear localization. show viral nonstructural protein NSs mediates effects, but only SFNV was interact directly. Thus, upstream components Janus kinase 1 (Jak1) also impaired Furthermore, proteins both directly interacted Jak1. Last, inhibition SFSV likely downstream at Jak1 level. Overall, our results reveal multiple used related overcome host defenses.