Virus-cell fusion as a trigger of innate immunity dependent on the adaptor STING

The innate immune system senses infection by detecting either evolutionarily conserved molecules essential for the survival of microbes or the abnormal location of molecules. Here we demonstrate the existence of a previously unknown innate detection mechanism induced by fusion between viral envelopes and target cells. Virus-cell fusion specifically stimulated a type I interferon response with expression of interferon-stimulated genes, in vivo recruitment of leukocytes and potentiation of signaling via Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR9. The fusion-dependent response was dependent on the stimulator of interferon genes STING but was independent of DNA, RNA and viral capsid. We suggest that membrane fusion is sensed as a danger signal with potential implications for defense against enveloped viruses and various conditions of giant-cell formation.     

Toll-like receptors and their role in host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii and other apicomplexan parasites are widely distributed obligate intracellular protozoa. A critical host mediator produced in response to T. gondii infection is IL-12. This cytokine is synthesized by dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils and plays a pivotal role in the production of IFN-gamma, which in turn activates anti-microbial effector cells. In the past several years, many of the receptors and signaling pathways that link pathogen detection to induction of IL-12 have been identified and characterized. Among these receptors the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family can recognize all classes of pathogens and induce different types of immune responses. In the following review, I summarize the evidence for specific TLR function in host resistance to T. gondii.     

发挥科研优势 促进学科发展

<正> 暨南大学医学院第一附属医院,又名广州华侨医院,经过20年的发展已成为一所集医、教、研为一体的大型三级甲等医院。医院的科研发展始终坚持"以学科建设为基础,人才培养是关键"的科研办院思路,从建院初期以调入人才为主到目前的以人才引进为辅、培养人才为主,20年来培养了一批中青年学术带头人,形成了一批技术力量强大的学科群。从建院初期仅有眼科学、内科学(血液病专业)2个硕士学位授与点发展到现在拥有眼科学、内科学、妇产科学3个博士学位、14个硕士学位授权点,1998年还被国家教委批准为临床医学专业学位授与点的试点单位。在各类学术期刊上发表文章3089篇,主编及参与编写171部专著,承担各级科研课题695项,获国家科技进步奖1项,省部级成果奖25项,厅局级科技进步奖69项,获专利9项。医院在培育科研优势的同时更注意发挥学科优势促进学科的发展。