Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
09:10
siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: October 28, 2019
Subversion of the cellular autophagy pathway by viruses
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. karlak@stanford.edu
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|October 6, 2009
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, plays a dual role in viral infections. While it can fight viruses, some viruses hijack autophagy for their own replication and spread.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process involving the degradation of cytoplasmic components via double-membraned vesicles.
- A functional autophagic response is crucial for innate immunity and controlling viral replication.
- However, viruses can exploit autophagy pathways for their own benefit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complex interplay between autophagy and viral infections.
- To understand how viruses subvert, imitate, or inhibit the autophagy pathway.
- To identify cellular mechanisms and tools related to autophagy that are relevant to viral pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- This study involves a mechanistic investigation of viral-autophagy interactions.
- It examines how viral components interact with the autophagy machinery.
- The research analyzes how viruses modulate or are affected by autophagy.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests that viral components can act as host factors, aiding viral replication and dissemination.
- Viruses have evolved strategies to either utilize or inhibit cellular autophagy.
- The study highlights the dual role of autophagy in antiviral defense and viral propagation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding how viruses manipulate autophagy provides insights into viral pathogenesis.
- Investigating these interactions reveals novel cell biological tools and processes.
- This research contributes to understanding the functional consequences of autophagy in viral infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome
Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
01:27Autophagy
Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:10Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...