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Autophagy in Viral Infection and Pathogenesis
Shan Liang1, Yun-Shan Wu1, Dong-Yi Li1
1Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang, Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|November 1, 2021
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular process, is crucial for metabolism and fighting viral infections. Viruses can manipulate autophagy for their benefit, impacting disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process vital for eukaryotic cellular metabolism and homeostasis.
- It degrades cellular proteins and recycles organelles under physiological conditions.
- Host autophagy plays a role in combating viral infections by degrading viruses and modulating immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual role of host autophagy in viral infection and pathogenesis.
- To elucidate how viruses hijack host autophagy for their replication and disease propagation.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of understanding autophagy in infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of autophagy's function in viral infections.
- Analysis of viral strategies to subvert host autophagy.
- Discussion of the implications for therapeutic development.
Main Results:
- Autophagy can inhibit viral infection by degrading viral components and initiating immune responses.
- Viruses have evolved mechanisms to exploit host autophagy for their own life cycle.
- Dysregulation of autophagy is implicated in viral pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the intricate interplay between autophagy and viruses is critical.
- Targeting autophagy pathways presents a promising strategy for antiviral therapies.
- Further research can lead to novel treatments for viral diseases, including COVID-19.
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