title: Chitosan-induced antiviral activity and innate immunity in plants.
abstract: Immunity represents a trait common to all living organisms, and animals and plants share some similarities. Therefore, in susceptible host plants, complex defence machinery may be stimulated by elicitors. Among these, chitosan deserves particular attention because of its proved efficacy. This survey deals with the antiviral activity of chitosan, focusing on its perception by the plant cell and mechanism of action. Emphasis has been paid to benefits and limitations of this strategy in crop protection, as well as to the potential of chitosan as a promising agent in virus disease control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Milan State University, Via G. Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy, marcello.iriti@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iriti
authors.forename: Elena Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Varoni
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D048271:Chitosan