Novel autophgy pathways for the control of influenza virus infection

The recent outbreaks of avian influenza and the threat of a human influenza pandemic has highlighted the need to understand prevention and control of this virus by developing effective antiviral therapies. We have recently shown that influenza virus activates a novel autophagy pathway called LC3-associated phagoytosis (LAP). We have developed a unique animal model defective in this pathway, and this project will investigate host innate immune responses after this pathway has been compromised. Aberrant host defence leading to inflammatory disease may account for some of the pathological changes seen in this disease. Respiratory virus infections are of global significance to both the human and animal populations.