Mechanisms of suppression of interferon production by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

The recently emerged porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) leads to one of the most economically significant infectious diseases of swine worldwide. The virus modulates the host innate and adaptive immunity to escape its immune response to facilitate the infection. Interferons (INFs) are principal antiviral cytokines, which represent components of the innate immunity and are regarded as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immunity. Currently, accumulating evidence indicates that the virus has developed various strategies to counteract the IFN production. Here, various mechanisms utilized by the virus to antagonize the IFN induction are reviewed.