Viral manipulation of host cell necroptosis and pyroptosis
Simon Verdonck1, Josephine Nemegeer1, Peter Vandenabeele1
1VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
Cell death forms an essential component of the antiviral immune response. Viral infection elicits different forms of host cell death, including the lytic and inflammatory cell death modes necroptosis or pyroptosis. The induction of both types of cell death not only eliminates virus-infected cells but also contributes to the development of innate and adaptive immunity through the release of inflammatory mediators. The importance of necroptosis and pyroptosis in host defence is evident from the numerous viral evasion mechanisms that suppress these cell death pathways. Here, we review the emerging principles by which viruses antagonise host cell necroptosis and pyroptosis to promote their spread and block host immunity.
Insights
Viruses suppress host cell death pathways like necroptosis and pyroptosis to spread and evade immunity. Understanding these viral strategies is key to developing new antiviral defenses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cell death is crucial for antiviral immunity, eliminating infected cells and initiating immune responses.
- Viruses can induce lytic cell death, necroptosis, or pyroptosis, which are inflammatory forms of cell death.
- These cell death pathways are important for both innate and adaptive immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how viruses antagonize host cell necroptosis and pyroptosis.
- To highlight viral evasion mechanisms that suppress these critical cell death pathways.
- To discuss the implications for viral spread and host immune response.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on viral antagonism of necroptosis and pyroptosis.
- Analysis of viral strategies to inhibit host cell death pathways.
- Synthesis of current understanding of virus-host interactions.
Main Results:
- Viruses have evolved diverse mechanisms to suppress necroptosis and pyroptosis.
- Inhibition of these cell death pathways facilitates viral replication and dissemination.
- Suppression of cell death impairs the development of effective host immunity.
Conclusions:
- Viral antagonism of necroptosis and pyroptosis is a common and important immune evasion strategy.
- Targeting these viral mechanisms could offer new therapeutic avenues for viral infections.
- Further research into these pathways will enhance our understanding of antiviral defense.
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