The monkeypox virus-host interplays

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family which can cause a zoonotic infection. The unexpected non-endemic outbreak of mpox in 2022 is considered as a new global threat. It is imperative to take proactive measures, including enhancing our understanding of MPXV's biology and pathogenesis, and developing novel antiviral strategies. The host immune responses play critical roles in defensing against MPXV infection while the virus has also evolved multiple strategies for immune escape. This review summarizes the biological features, antiviral immunity, immune evasion mechanisms, pathogenicity, and prevention strategies for MPXV.

Keywords: Antiviral immunity; Immune evasion; Monkeypox virus; Pathogenicity.

Fig. 1

MPXV Genome and structure (A) The MPXV genome has a large, conserved central region encoding essential factors. Flanking this core are two variable regions with identical but opposite sequences at their ends, known as ITRs. (B) The MPXV is made up of five main parts: a double-concave dumbbell-shaped core, lipoprotein membrane, lateral bodies, surface tubules and its genomic DNA.

Fig. 2

Immune evasion by MPXV MPXV encodes multiple immunomodulators that disrupt host antiviral responses through diverse strategies, including preventing production of IFNs, blocking IFN-induced signaling pathways and activation of NF-κB, inhibition of immune cell activation, regulation of apoptosis and inflammasomes. See text for details.