Translational Virus Immunity Pathology (TVIP)
TVIP – Focus on Human Polyomaviruses
TVIP investigates viral and immunological mechanisms that shape acute and chronic virus diseases. Viruses cause direct cell damage when taking over the host cell metabolism in order to replicate. Virus replication is faced with innate and adaptive immune responses aiming at limiting the spread of viral damage, but may aggravate acute and chronic pathology and organ failure. Immune functions can be altered by different underlying conditions and therapies (e.g., primary immunodeficiency, acquired HIV/AIDS, or iatrogenic/pharmacological immunodeficiency for transplantation, malignancy, or autoimmunity). Community-acquired respiratory viruses are examples of acute viral infections, whereas human herpesviruses (HHVs, e.g., CMV, EBV, HHV6, HHV8) and human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) or HIV and HBV are examples of persistent viral infections with latency and reactivation characteristics.
Current research focuses on unmet clinical and diagnostic needs to prevent complications of the HPyVs such as BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) and JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). BKPyV and JCPyV infect 50% to 95% of the global population, typically without known symptoms or signs, and establish persistent infection in the reno-urinary tract. In immunocompromised people, BKPyV and JCPyV can cause significant pathologies such as nephropathy, hemorrhagic cystitis, cancer, or brain disease. Virological, immunological and clinical research are synergizing to identify mechanisms, markers, and management opportunities that can guide prophylactic, preemptive or therapeutic interventions.