Review

The Innate Immune Response: An Important Partner in Shaping Coxsackievirus-Mediated Autoimmunity
Martin J. Richer, Marc S. Horwitz

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Address of Corresponding Author

J Innate Immun 2009;1:421-434 (DOI: 10.1159/000226247)

  Key Words

• Autoimmune myocarditis
• Autoimmunity
• Coxsackievirus
• Innate immunity
• Type 1 diabetes

  Abstract

To protect against viral infection, the immune response is critically dependent on innate sensing mechanisms to provide rapid detection of pathogens and allow for the development of an appropriate adaptive immune response. Mounting evidence suggests that mechanistic differences in the sensing of viruses by the innate immune response can contribute to the development of autoimmunity. Coxsackieviruses are common human pathogens that have been linked to the induction of autoimmune diseases such as chronic autoimmune myocarditis and type 1 diabetes. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge of the interactions between coxsackievirus and the innate immune system and how these interactions can potentially lead to the induction of autoimmune diseases.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. Marc S. Horwitz
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
The University of British Columbia
3551-2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3 (Canada)
Tel. +1 604 822 6298, Fax +1 604 822 6041, E-Mail mhorwitz@interchange.ubc.ca

  Article Information

Received: March 14, 2009
Accepted after revision: April 17, 2009
Published online: June 24, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 14
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 117