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Published on: July 26, 2017
Ras signalling in infectious disease pathology: Mechanisms, tissue damage, and clinical implications
Atahar Husein1, Azfar Jamal2, Rahat Ali3
1Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
Pathology, Research and Practice
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Pathogens manipulate Ras signalling pathways for survival and immune evasion, impacting host cell functions and disease progression. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing targeted therapies against infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Pathogen Biology
Background:
- Ras signalling regulates fundamental cellular processes like proliferation and survival.
- Pathogens exploit Ras pathways for infection, persistence, and immune evasion.
- Ras pathway dysregulation is implicated in various infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Ras signalling in infectious disease pathology.
- To explore host-pathogen interactions involving Ras pathways.
- To discuss therapeutic implications of targeting Ras signalling.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Ras signalling in infectious diseases.
- Analysis of pathogen manipulation of Ras-associated pathways (MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT).
- Examination of isoform-specific Ras regulation (H-Ras, K-Ras, N-Ras).
Main Results:
- Viruses, bacteria, and parasites alter Ras activity, affecting inflammation and tissue injury.
- Specific pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, H. pylori, and M. tuberculosis engage Ras signalling.
- Isoform-specific Ras regulation contributes to distinct pathological outcomes.
- Dysregulated Ras signalling is linked to lung injury, liver fibrosis, and granuloma formation.
Conclusions:
- Ras signalling plays a significant role in infectious disease pathogenesis.
- Targeting Ras pathways offers potential for host-directed therapies.
- Further pathogen-specific validation is needed to fully elucidate Ras's role and therapeutic potential.
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