Enterovirus D68 molecular and cellular biology and pathogenesis

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has emerged as a significant global pathogen.
• EV-D68 is associated with severe respiratory illness and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in children.
• Understanding EV-D68's evolution and pathogenicity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular characteristics of EV-D68.
• To contextualize EV-D68 within general enterovirus biology.
• To explore EV-D68's impact on host cells and motor neuron toxicity in AFM.

Main Methods:

• Review of accumulating data on EV-D68 molecular features.
• Comparative analysis with other enteroviruses and historical EV-D68 strains.
• Discussion of host cell interactions and hypothesized mechanisms of neurotoxicity.

Main Results:

• EV-D68 exhibits genetic divergence from historical strains, affecting capsid antigens and receptor usage.
• Changes in EV-D68 contribute to increased virulence and potential for motor neuron damage.
• Host cell biology is significantly impacted by EV-D68 infection.

Conclusions:

• EV-D68's evolving molecular features enhance its virulence.
• Further research is needed to identify EV-D68's primary receptor and clarify AFM pathogenesis.
• Understanding EV-D68 epidemiology and developing therapeutics are critical next steps.