Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Antagonizes NOD2-Mediated Antiviral Effects by Inhibiting NOD2 Protein Expression

Abstract

NOD2 was identified as a cytoplasmic viral pattern recognition receptor in 2009. Subsequently, many viruses were reported to activate NOD2-mediated signaling pathways. This study demonstrated that FMDV infection activated NOD2-mediated IFN-β and NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Host cells have developed multiple strategies against viral infection; however, viruses have evolved many strategies to escape host defenses. FMDV has evolved multiple mechanisms to inhibit host type I IFN production. Here, we showed that NOD2 suppressed FMDV replication during viral infection. FMDV 2B, 2C, and 3C pro decreased NOD2 protein expression by different mechanisms to promote viral replication. This study provided new insight into the immune evasion mechanisms mediated by FMDV and identified 2B, 2C, and 3C pro as antagonistic factors for FMDV to evade host antiviral responses.