Influenza virus and viral RNA induced activation of innate immunity

流感病毒是全球非常重要的病原体，每年都会引起流行病，偶尔也会引起大流行，可能导致大量发病率和死亡率。目前，疫苗、抗病毒物质和社会隔离是预防和治疗社会流感感染的手段。为了更好地对抗流感病毒感染，我们需要更好地了解病毒复制的基本机制，病毒-宿主相互作用和宿主免疫反应的激活。目前的项目将作为芬兰、德国和中国研究小组之间的合作网络进行，这些研究小组在各自的流感病毒学、先天免疫、RNA生物学和实验性小鼠感染研究领域处于领先地位。研究小组将在人类细胞模型和小鼠动物实验中描述宿主先天免疫反应的激活。被流感病毒和/或其遗传物质激活的细胞受体和抗病毒分子的功能将被描述。这项工作将提供关于流感感染期间先天免疫反应的激活和抑制机制的信息，项目中获得的数据可能会导致新的创新和更好的治疗和预防严重流感病毒感染的方法。

Influenza viruses are globally very important pathogens causing yearly epidemics and occasional pandemic that may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. At present, vaccines, antiviral substances and social isolation are the means to prevent and treat influenza infections in a society. To better fight against influenza virus infections we need better understanding of the basic mechanisms of virus replication, viral – host interactions and activation of host immune responses. The present project will take place as a collaborative network between Finnish, German and Chinese research group that are among the leaders of their fields in influenza virology, innate immunity, RNA biology and experimental mouse infection research. The research groups will characterize the activation of host innate immune responses in human cellular models and mouse animal experiments. The functions of cellular receptors and antiviral molecules that are activated by influenza viruses and/or their genetic material will be characterized. The work will provide information on the mechanisms of activation and inhibition of innate immune responses during influenza infection and the data obtained in the project is likely to lead to novel innovations and a better means to treat and prevent severe influenza virus infections.