Understanding the interplay between BK polyomavirus and celular restriction factors

Abstract

The most important human polyomavirus are the Merkel cell polyomavirus, the etiological agent of 80% of Merkel cell carcinoma, JCPyV that causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and BKPyV which causes nephropathy. After initial primary infection and dissemination in the organism, persistence of polyomavirus is, by not well-known mechanism. Local innate immune response and other cellular restriction factors such as macromolecular protein complexes such as the PML nuclear bodies (PML NB) can play a role in the outcome of the infection and promote viral persistency. Our reseach focus on the understanding the molecular mechanisms of innate immune response activation and modulation in response BKPyV.