Modulation of Host Antiviral Innate Immunity by African Swine Fever Virus: A Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Immune evasion is a prerequisite for successful viral infection, and viral proteins involved in regulating host antiviral innate immunity have always been the molecular targets for the development of novel African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccines. To monitor potential virulent and immunoregulatory factors, we summarized the research progress on ASFV regulating host inflammatory and innate immune responses, which will be helpful for the research of vaccines and antiviral drugs against African swine fever (ASF). ABSTRACT: African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a highly contagious and fatal disease found in swine. However, the viral proteins and mechanisms responsible for immune evasion are poorly understood, which has severely hindered the development of vaccines. This review mainly focuses on studies involving the innate antiviral immune response of the host and summarizes the latest studies on ASFV genes involved in interferon (IFN) signaling and inflammatory responses. We analyzed the effects of candidate viral proteins on ASFV infection, replication and pathogenicity and identified potential molecular targets for novel ASFV vaccines. These efforts will contribute to the construction of novel vaccines and wonder therapeutics for ASF.