Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Identifying Caspases and their Motifs that Cleave Proteins During Influenza A Virus Infection
Published on: July 21, 2022
Orchestrating immunopathology: the spectrum of programmed cell death pathways co-opted by influenza a virus in
Yuanyuan Luo1,2, Li Xiang1,2, Qingman He1,2
1School of Clinical Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
Influenza A virus (IAV) infection activates multiple programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, which, while restricting viral replication and dissemination, concurrently disrupt the respiratory epithelial barrier and compromise immune homeostasis. Excessive activation of apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and related processes results in tight junction(TJ) disruption, impaired mucociliary clearance and gas exchange, and amplification of inflammatory cascades, ultimately driving cytokine storm and severe tissue injury. This dual role of PCD underscores its importance in antiviral defense while exposing its potential to exacerbate immunopathology. Accordingly, this review focuses on IAV-induced PCD mechanisms, delineating their contribution to epithelial barrier breakdown and immune dysregulation, with the aim of informing strategies for precise modulation of immunopathological damage and improving therapeutic outcomes in severe influenza.
Related Concept Videos
Leaky Scanning
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

