Examples of immune response disruption by respiratory viruses. Examples of immune response disruption by respiratory viruses. Respiratory viruses are able to modulate the immune response by interfering with antiviral signaling pathways. They can inhibit IFN synthesis, for instance, by blocking IRF-3 activation (RSV and parainfluenza virus) or by interfering with RIG-1/MDA5 signaling (rhinovirus, RSV, and influenza virus). They can interfere with the production of antiviral molecules by blocking IFN signaling, for instance, through inhibition of STAT-1/2 activation (RSV, parainfluenza virus, and human metapneumovirus [hMPV]), or can directly inhibit antiviral proteins (influenza virus). They can interfere with NF-κB signaling (rhinovirus, RSV, and influenza virus), resulting in an excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines and in mucus hypersecretion. They are also able to induce bacterial adherence through an upregulation of host surface receptors such as PAF-r, CEACAM-1, and ICAM-1. Marjolaine Vareille et al. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2011; doi:10.1128/CMR.00014-10