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Reovirus-induced apoptosis: A minireview.
1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences, Denver, CO 80220, USA.
Summary
Reoviruses trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) differently in various cells, leading to tissue damage. Inhibiting this apoptosis could be a new way to treat reovirus infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Reoviruses are viruses that infect mammals and are used to study virus-induced injury.
- Reovirus infection triggers apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, in both cultured cells and in vivo target tissues like the heart and central nervous system (CNS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific mechanisms and cell-type variations in reovirus-induced apoptosis.
- To understand the role of apoptosis in reovirus-induced disease pathogenesis.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Examined reovirus-induced apoptosis in epithelial cells and neurons.
- Analyzed the involvement of death receptors (DRs), TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and mitochondrial pathways.
- Correlated viral infection location, tissue injury, and apoptosis in vivo.
Main Results:
- In epithelial cells, reovirus-induced apoptosis involves TRAIL, DR4/DR5, caspase 8, and mitochondrial factors.
- In neurons, reovirus-induced apoptosis utilizes TNFR and Fas, with less reliance on mitochondria.
- Apoptosis is a critical mechanism driving reovirus-induced disease, correlating with viral infection and tissue damage in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Reoviruses induce apoptosis through distinct pathways depending on the cell and tissue type.
- Apoptosis plays a key role in the pathology of reovirus infections.
- Inhibiting apoptosis may offer a therapeutic approach to mitigate reovirus-induced tissue damage.