Interferon Signaling Remains Functional during Henipavirus Infection of Human Cell Lines

Henipaviruses encode several proteins from the P gene, of which V and W have been demonstrated by gene-based transfection studies to antagonize the innate immune response, blocking both type I interferon production and signaling. This study examines the effects of henipavirus infection on the innate immune response in human cell lines. We report that henipavirus infection does not result in interferon production, with the virus antagonizing this response. In contrast to published transfection studies, our study found that the interferon signaling pathways are only partially blocked by henipavirus infection of human cell lines.