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Modulation of apoptotic pathways by human papillomaviruses (HPV): mechanisms and implications for therapy

Chung-Hsiang Yuan1, Maria Filippova, Penelope Duerksen-Hughes

  • 1Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11085 Campus St., Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. cyuan@llu.edu

Viruses
|December 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) evade host defenses by blocking apoptosis, the programmed cell death that clears infections. This review details how HPV proteins disrupt apoptosis, impacting cancer therapy effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is a critical host defense mechanism for clearing viral infections.
  • Human papillomaviruses (HPV) have evolved strategies to evade apoptosis, ensuring their survival and replication.
  • Understanding these evasion mechanisms is crucial for developing effective antiviral and anticancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms by which HPV-infected cells evade both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis.
  • To discuss the role of HPV early gene products in modulating apoptotic pathways.
  • To explore strategies for overcoming apoptosis resistance in HPV-associated cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications on HPV and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms involving HPV early gene proteins.
  • Discussion of implications for anti-cancer drug development.

Main Results:

  • HPV-infected cells exhibit resistance to apoptosis through modifications of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
  • Specific HPV early gene proteins are identified as key players in apoptosis evasion.
  • This resistance poses a significant challenge for conventional apoptosis-inducing cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • HPV actively subverts host cell apoptosis to promote viral persistence and oncogenesis.
  • Targeting HPV-mediated apoptosis resistance is a promising strategy for novel cancer treatments.
  • Further research into overcoming these resistance mechanisms could enhance the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs.

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