Poxviral mimicry of complement and chemokine system components: what's theend game?

Numerous viral proteins mimic host immunoregulatory proteins, both structur ally and functionally. This phenomenon appears to underlie viral evasion of host defense. These viral immunomodulatory proteins block viral neutraliza tion and destruction of infected cells, and are also able to influence thei r habitat, preserving habitats that favor their growth and that of their pr ogeny. The end game seems to vary widely among viruses.