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Reovirus-induced apoptosis: A minireview

P Clarke1, K L Tyler

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences, Denver, CO 80220, USA.

Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death
|May 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

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.

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