Inflammatory and oxidative stress in rotavirus infection

Carlos A Guerrero1, Orlando Acosta1

  • 1Carlos A Guerrero, Orlando Acosta, Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111311, Colombia.

Insights

Rotaviruses cause severe diarrhea in young children by inducing cellular stress. Novel therapies targeting these stress pathways, like N-acetylcysteine, offer new treatment options beyond vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Rotaviruses are a primary cause of severe diarrhea in children under five globally.
  • Rotavirus infection involves complex interactions with host cell surface molecules for entry.
  • Rotaviruses possess mechanisms to evade the host immune system and induce cellular stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of rotavirus-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
  • To explore the interplay between ER stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress during rotavirus infection.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for rotavirus-induced diarrhea.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature on rotavirus entry mechanisms and host-pathogen interactions.
  • It discusses the signaling pathways involved in rotavirus-induced cellular stress, including ER and mitochondrial function.
  • The review examines potential therapeutic interventions based on interfering with these stress pathways.

Main Results:

  • Rotavirus entry is mediated by sequential interactions with host cell molecules, with receptor usage varying by strain and host.
  • Rotaviruses induce ER stress, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling, potentially through calcium release and ROS generation.
  • A network involving ER stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress is proposed, contributing to disease pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding rotavirus-induced stress signaling provides a basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Compounds like N-acetylcysteine, NSAIDs, and PPARγ agonists show promise in inhibiting rotavirus infection.
  • These agents offer a potential complementary approach to vaccination for managing rotavirus diarrhea.