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Virologie

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Measles virus infection as a model for acquired immunosuppression Volume 6, issue 5, Septembre - Octobre 2002

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Authors
Inserm U 503, IFR 74/CERVI, 21, avenue Tony-Garnier, 69007 Lyon

Measles virus (MV) infection is associated with an effective MV-specific immune response which leads to virus clearance in two weeks and to a protective immune response against reinfection. Surprisingly, MV induces simultaneously a transient but profound immunosuppression associated with high mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Both innate and adaptative immune response are triggered by activation of natural killer cells, macrophages, T lymphocytes and secretion of antibodies against structural MV proteins. MV immunosuppression is due to several immune dysfunctions, including alteration of immune cell biology (dendritic cells, lymphocytes, monocytes...) and panlymphopenia. The mechanisms underlying the generalized suppression of the host immune response involved viral replication and double strand RNA as well as viral proteins such as H, F or NP. Better under-standing of MV immune suppression may be of value for introducing new vaccines in developing countries.