Innate immunity modulation in virus entry

Entry into a cell submits viruses to detection by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) leading to an early innate anti-viral response. Several viruses evolved strategies to avoid or subvert PRR recognition at the step of virus entry to promote infection. Whereas viruses mostly escape from soluble PRR detection, endocytic/phagocytic PRRs, such as the mannose receptor or DC-SIGN, are commonly used for virus entry. Moreover, virion-incorporated proteins may also offer viruses a way to dampen anti-viral innate immunity upon virus entry, and entering viruses might usurp autophagy to improve their own infectivity.

► Virus entry is an indispensable first step for cell infection.
► Viruses may escape or hijack innate immune receptors for cell entry.
► Anti-viral innate immunity can be inhibited by entering virion-incorporated proteins.
► Viruses might hijack autophagy early post entry for promoting their replication.