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Autophagy during viral infection - a double-edged sword
Younho Choi1, James W Bowman1, Jae U Jung2
1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|March 21, 2018
Summary
Autophagy defends against viruses by degrading viral particles and coordinating immune responses. However, viruses hijack autophagy, subverting this cellular process for their own replication and spread.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Autophagy is a cellular defense mechanism involving autophagosomes that degrade viral cargo.
- Autophagy initiates innate immunity by inducing interferon production and degrades viral components.
- Autophagy also supports adaptive immunity by presenting viral antigens to T lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of autophagy in viral infections.
- To discuss how viruses hijack and subvert autophagy for their benefit.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms viruses use to repurpose autophagy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of autophagy's role in viral infections.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms used by viruses to manipulate autophagy.
- Discussion of the interplay between autophagy, host immunity, and viral pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Autophagy acts as a double-edged sword in viral infections, offering defense but also being exploited by viruses.
- Viruses employ diverse strategies to hijack autophagy for replication, immune evasion, and pathogenesis.
- Understanding these viral subversion mechanisms is crucial for developing antiviral therapies.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy plays a complex role in host-pathogen interactions during viral infections.
- Viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate autophagy, highlighting an ongoing evolutionary arms race.
- Targeting viral subversion of autophagy presents a promising avenue for novel antiviral strategies.
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