Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Genome-wide RNAi Screening to Identify Host Factors That Modulate Oncolytic Virus Therapy
Published on: April 3, 2018
Viral Comorbidities Remodel Host Transcriptome and Redox Signaling in an NADPH Oxidase Isoform-Specific Manner
Rashmi K Ambasta1, Suman R Das1,2
1Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, TN 37067, USA.
None:
Viral comorbidities elicit complex host responses by activating redox-sensitive signaling pathways, prominently those regulated by NADPH oxidase (Nox) enzymes. Nox are critical components of host defense, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that modulate key cellular signaling cascades. Under normal physiological conditions, Nox activity is tightly controlled; however, viral infections frequently disrupt this regulation, leading to aberrant upregulation of specific Nox isoforms. Elevated expression of individual Nox enzymes has been observed in infections such as influenza A and hepatitis C virus, while simultaneous activation of multiple Nox isoforms occurs in HIV and SARS-CoV infections. Similar patterns of dual or multi-isoform Nox activation are also reported in complex disease states, including diabetes, thrombosis, and fibrosis. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in this process by selectively regulating Nox isoform expression during viral infection, thereby remodeling the host redox environment. Nox-derived ROS influence multiple downstream signaling pathways, including SMAD, MAPK, CXCR-mediated signaling, and the JNK/ERK axis, promoting inflammation and fibrosis that worsen viral disease outcomes. Additionally, several FDA-approved drugs, investigational agents, and microRNA-based therapeutics show promise in modulating Nox activity. Therefore, this article substantiates how viral infections reprogram host transcriptomic and redox signaling networks, contributing to viral pathogenesis and offering potential therapeutic intervention strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
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...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Viruses with RNA Genomes
