VIRUS-ENCODED CYTOKINES AND CYTOKINE RECEPTORS

In order to replicate efficiently within the host, viruses have evolve d multiple strategies to evade the host's immune system. In many cases viruses have actually hijacked various components of the host's immun e system to ensure their own survival. One such strategy is the expres sion of virus encoded cytokines and cytokine receptors. Members of the poxvirus and herpesvirus families have been particularly successful w ith this strategy. The study of virus survival strategies provides imp ortant information regarding both virus biology as well as information about the immune system itself.