Innate immune surveillance of the circulation: A review on the removal of circulating virions from the bloodstream

• Published in: PLoS pathogens Vol. 18; no. 5; p. e1010474
• Main Authors: Ander, Stephanie E., Li, Frances S., Carpentier, Kathryn S., Morrison, Thomas E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.05.2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adenoviruses; Antibodies; Antibody response; Bacteria; Biology and Life Sciences; Blood circulation; Chikungunya virus; Ecological effects; Evaluation; Gene therapy; Hepatitis; Host-virus relationships; Immune clearance; Immune response; Immunity, Innate; Immunosurveillance; Liver; Medicine and Health Sciences; Observations; Pathogenesis; Pathogens; Research and Analysis Methods; Reticuloendothelial system; Review; Spleen; Streptococcus infections; Viral infections; Virion; Virions; Virus research; Viruses; Viruses - genetics; United States
• ISSN: 1553-7374; 1553-7366; 1553-7374
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010474

Many viruses utilize the lymphohematogenous route for dissemination; however, they may not freely use this highway unchecked. The reticuloendothelial system (RES) is an innate defense system that surveys circulating blood, recognizing and capturing viral particles. Examination of the literature shows that the bulk of viral clearance is mediated by the liver; however, the precise mechanism(s) mediating viral vascular clearance vary between viruses and, in many cases, remains poorly defined. Herein, we summarize what is known regarding the recognition and capture of virions from the circulation prior to the generation of a specific antibody response. We also discuss the consequences of viral capture on viral pathogenesis and the fate of the captor cell. Finally, this understudied topic has implications beyond viral pathogenesis, including effects on arbovirus ecology and the application of virus-vectored gene therapies.