Characterisation of Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV)-derived Inhibitors and anti-inflammatory cell permeable peptides (CPPs) in human monocytes

Inflammation lies at the heart of most human diseases. Poxviruses have evolved host-tailored inhibitors that efficiently target the key control points of host signal transduction pathways that drive inflammation. Molluscum Contagiosum virus (MCV) is the only known human-adapted poxvirus that potently suppresses the inflammatory response. By discovering how MCV inhibits inflammation and identifying viral peptides that mimic this activity, the goal of this study is to use virus evolution to reveal new approaches to target human inflammation.