# The role of UBXNs in antiviral immunity

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT · 2020 · $410,875

## Abstract

HSV-1 is an important human pathogen, with a global prevalence of ~67% according to World
Health Organization. In immunocompromised people, such as those with advanced HIV
infection, HSV-1 cause more severe symptoms such as encephalitis or keratitis though rarely.
Mother-to-infant transmission can occur, though rarely, estimated 1 out of every 10,000 births
globally, but can lead to lasting neurologic disability or death. The mosquito-borne Chikungunya
virus (CHIKV) of the Togaviridae family is re-emerging as a significant public health threat
world-wide. CHIKV causes acute and chronic crippling arthralgia and long-term neurological
disorders. The cumulative cases are over 1.8 million, with 436 deaths directly or indirectly
related to CHIKV, in Americas since its invasion into the Caribbean in late 2013. This project
investigates the physiological roles of a family of poorly understood genes, UBXNs, in
controlling HSV-1 and CHIKV infection and disease pathogenesis in mice via genetic, molecular
biological, biochemical and immunological approaches, and may ultimately contribute to
development of vaccines and therapeutics. We will first examine the changes in disease
pathogenesis and antiviral immune responses of gene deficient animals and cells. We will then
understand how UBXNs regulate the innate immune system, specifically the stimulator of
interferon genes (STING) pathway, to limit viral infection. STING senses cyclic GMP-AMP
(cGAMP), a second messenger that is rapidly synthesized by cGAMP synthase (cGAS) in
response to viral DNA, and then induces expression of type I IFNs and other antiviral molecules.
Our study with West Nile virus (WNV) and other recent studies consistently demonstrate that
STING is also important for the control of RNA virus infection in mouse models. The underlying
molecular mechanism, however, remain largely unclear. At the end of this project, we hope to
address a gap in our knowledge and understanding of the role of STING in innate immunity to
RNA viruses and UBXN3B in regulation of STING-mediated innate antiviral immune response,
and increase our knowledge in the host immune responses to human viruses of medical
significance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9837413
- **Project number:** 5R01AI132526-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT
- **Principal Investigator:** PENGHUA WANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $410,875
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9837413

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9837413, The role of UBXNs in antiviral immunity (5R01AI132526-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9837413. Licensed CC0.

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