VSV infection elicits distinct host responses in the periphery and the brain

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a natural epizootic among farm animals which is spread by sand-flies, has been used for experimental acute infections of mice since the 1930s when Sabin and Olitzky did pioneering investigations. This chapter will summarize the contributions of many laboratories to our understanding of host innate and adaptive immune responses, and viral evasion of innate responses. In addition, the potential power of this virus for vaccine platforms and oncolysis will be discussed. The virus has an evasive strategy which inhibits host cell gene expression. VSV readily elicits Type I Interferon (IFN) responses in the periphery, but fails to trigger this critical antiviral response in the CNS. VSV is a deceptively simple virus whose study has led to unexpected insights into the complexities of cell biology and host responses to infection.