Zika, dengue, yellow fever, hepatitis C, and West Nile viruses are
closely related and all belong to the same family of viruses
(Flaviviridae). These viruses inflict enormous amounts of morbidity and
mortality in patients worldwide. Dr. Sun’s laboratory
studies mechanisms of viral infection, immune recognition, and function
and clinical sequelae of these infectious diseases.
Using molecular and cellular immunology tools in animal models and
tissue cultures, he and his colleagues have recently discovered that
outcomes of congenital Zika disease depend on timing of infection, and
that interferon‐lambda, a type III interferon, is
effective in blocking maternal‐fetal viral transmission in human and
animal models of Zika infection. His team is currently
investigating how unique mechanisms operating for the
virus‐vector‐mammalian host cross‐talk, its impact on tissue‐specific
immune responses, and disease outcomes. These steps can be targeted for
better clinical intervention and future vaccine
development.