Beclin-1 Targeting for Viral Immune Escape
2011

Beclin-1 Targeting for Viral Immune Escape

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Münz Christian

Primary Institution: Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich

Hypothesis

Viruses have developed strategies to inhibit autophagosome generation or maturation by targeting Beclin-1.

Conclusion

Viruses, including herpesviruses, HIV, and influenza A virus, inhibit macroautophagy to enhance their replication and evade immune responses.

Supporting Evidence

  • Macroautophagy helps the immune system detect and destroy pathogens.
  • Viruses like HIV and influenza A virus can prevent the maturation of autophagosomes to evade immune detection.
  • Herpesviruses inhibit autophagosome generation to enhance their neurovirulence.

Takeaway

Some viruses can trick our body's defenses by stopping a process called autophagy, which helps fight infections. This helps the viruses survive and make more copies of themselves.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/v3071166

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