[Short Communication] Immunology of a Morbillivirus: Measles 1954 to 2023

Abstract

Measles is a virus, abbreviated to MeV, thought to have existed around 4000 years ago affecting predominantly infants but also immunocompromised individuals and others remaining a public health issue. The causal virion is defined biologically within the Family _Paramyxoviridae_, Genus _Morbillivirus_ and Species _MeaslesMorbillivirus. _Similar to other infections, MeV is an airborne infection with the virion composed of an RNA genome code encoding for eight predominant proteins. The first isolation of MeV occurred in 1954 known as the “Edmonston strain” from David Edmonston, a student at Fay School in Boston. The lack of antigenic variation by the MeV particle discovered since is suggestive that the third pathogen with the potential to be eradicated requires further research. In 1954 knowledge of the immune system had only just started emerging. Immune cells traverse barriers known as the glycocalyx and endothelial surface layer (GC-ESL) requiring stimulation to restrict viral replication through antigenic challenge in the respiratory epithelial and endothelial cell layers. Immune cells have different phenotypes and regulate infection through inhibitory and stimulatory proteins like cytokines, and chemokines as well as adhesion molecules and receptors transversing permeable organ tissues from the lymphoid system. Here is a discussion of contextual MeV innate and adaptive immune responses to infection or immunisation. Potential explanations to elucidate this further with regard to past, present, and future research are considered. This outline will provide key insights and be useful to researchers, clinicians and academics in the future.