Virus-induced neuronal apoptosis as pathological and protective responses of the host

Extensive efforts have been made to elucidate mechanisms by which viruses induce apoptosis in cultured neuronal cells. However, little is yet understood about the mechanisms of neuronal apoptosis in vivo as well as interpretations of this active host response. Here we review recent advances toward understanding these topics. The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase cascade may be an important apoptotic mediator in virally infected neurons, which comes in focus as a therapeutic target for protecting neurons from death. A novel concept can be proposed that virus-induced neuronal apoptosis in the central nervous system may represent a pathological host response, while that in the peripheral counterpart, especially olfactory receptor neurons, may mediate a protective host response.