Genomic and biological variation in bat IFNs: An antiviral treatment approach

Abstract

Bat‐borne viruses have attracted considerable research, especially in relation to the Covid‐19 pandemic. Although bats can carry multiple zoonotic viruses that are lethal to many mammalian species, they appear to be asymptomatic to viral infection despite the high viral loads contained in their bodies. There are several differences between bats and other mammals. One of the major differences between bats and other mammals is the bats' ability to fly, which is believed to have induced evolutionary changes. It may have also favoured them as suitable hosts for viruses. This is related to their tolerance to viral infection. Innate immunity is the first line of defence against viral infection, but bats have metamorphosed the type of responses induced by innate immunity factors such as interferons. The expression patterns of interferons differ, as do those of interferon‐related genes such as interferon regulatory factors and interferon‐stimulated genes that contribute to the antiviral response of infected cells. In addition, the signalling pathways related to viral infection and immune responses have been subject to evolutionary changes, including mutations compared to their homologues in other mammals and gene selection. This article discusses the differences in the interferon‐mediated antiviral response in bats compared to that of other mammals and how these differences are correlated to viral tolerance in bats. The effect of bat interferons related genes on human antiviral response against bat‐borne viruses is also discussed.

The controversy of SARS‐CoV‐2 integration into the human genome

“…31 In comparison with other mammals, bats differ from other mammals in IFN expression and serotypes which might contribute to the bats' ability to restrain a wide spectrum of exogenous viruses. 31 Not only this but also, some innate immunity pathways include IFN mediation. A well-known pathway that includes IFN expression and mediation, is the STING mediated IFN type I pathway.…”

“…Thus limiting the immune response to be initiated by Interferon regulatory factors 3 and 7. 31 Bats are known as the only mammals to fly. However, this ability induced major evolutionary changes of bats from other mammals.…”

“…In that, bat cells do not induce NFκB expression through p50 protein 31. Thus limiting the immune response to be initiated by Interferon regulatory factors 3 and 7 31 …”

“…It has been evident that bats carry a lot of zoonotic viruses, however, those are considered exogenous viruses. Bat interferons (IFNs) play a major role in bats' innate immunity against exogenous viruses 31 . In bats, the IFN induced antiviral response is significantly lower than that in other mammals, this might corelate with the suggestion that viruses can replicate inside bats but do not induce symptoms like inflammations in mammals 31 .…”

Epidemiology, biosafety, and biosecurity of Avian Influenza: Insights from the East Mediterranean region

“…Throughout the Middle East, attempts to control and confine endemic viruses and threats face pivotal obstacles in successfully eradicating some diseases. [116][117][118][119][120][121] Middle Eastern countries are known for their densely populated communities and lack of biosafety education among ordinary citizens. As a hotspot for thousands or millions of tourists and religious pilgrims, 122 countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Palestine demonstrated the significance of the disease transmission rates of the avian influenza virus.…”