Species Specificity of Ectromelia Virus and Vaccinia Virus Interferon-γ Binding Proteins

Interferon-gamma functions within the immune system as a potent anti-viral and immunoregulatory cytokine. In order to successfully replicate within a host cell, poxviruses have evolved a number of strategies to counteract the pleiotropic effects of interferon-gamma. In particular, the leporipoxvirus myxoma virus was shown to express an extracellular soluble interferon-gamma receptor homolog, denoted M-T7, which is capable of inhibiting the …