Viral modulation of the host response via crmA/SPI-2 expression

Viruses have evolved numerous strategies to modulate the host response to i nfection. Poxviruses cause acute infections and need to replicate quickly t o promote efficient transmission. Consequently, it is not surprising to lea rn that poxviruses encode a large number of proteins designed to target var ious arms of the host inflammatory response. One of the earliest described and most well-studied viral modulatory proteins is crmA/SPI-2. While the bi ochemical targets and possible modes of action have been well characterized in vitro, the role that crmA/SPI-2 plays during natural infection is less clear. It may have effects in modulating host responses involving apoptosis and inflammation. It is important to further understand the precise mode o f action of viral proteins, such as crmA/SPI-2, because this may lead to be tter therapeutic strategies to combat a range of inflammatory and autoimmun e diseases.