ISG20 Restricts <i>BK Polyomavirus</i> Infection and Engages in Reciprocal Regulation with Viral Large T Antigen.

ABSTRACT: BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) causes severe urinary tract diseases, including BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPyVN) and ureteric stenosis, in immunocompromised individuals such as renal transplant recipients. Effective antiviral therapies for BKPyV infection remain an unmet clinical need. While the interferon-stimulated gene 20 (ISG20) exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against RNA viruses, its role and mechanisms against DNA viruses are poorly defined. This study demonstrates, for the first time, potent antiviral activity of ISG20 against BKPyV. This restriction was observed with both endogenous levels of ISG20 and upon overexpression, and this effect was confirmed by ISG20 knockout and immunofluorescence imaging. We observed that ISG20 expression is dynamically regulated during

SUBMITTER: Hou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12654336 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature