Affiliation:
1. Division of Virology, ICMR-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research, Pune 411026, India
Abstract
Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular process, influences the regulation of viral infections. While the existing understanding indicates that Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) maintains a basal level of autophagy to support its viral yield, the precise pathways governing the induction of autophagy during HSV-2 infection remain unknown. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of type I interferons (IFN-I) in modulating autophagy during HSV-2 infection and to decode the associated signaling pathways. Our findings revealed an interplay wherein IFN-I regulates the autophagic response during HSV-2 infection. Additionally, we investigated the cellular pathways modulated during this complex process. Exploring the intricate network of signaling events involved in autophagy induction during HSV-2 infection holds promising therapeutic implications. Identifying these pathways advances our understanding of host–virus interactions and holds the foundation for developing targeted therapeutic strategies against HSV-2. The insight gained from this study provides a platform for exploring potential therapeutic targets to restrict HSV-2 infections, addressing a crucial need in antiviral research.
Funder
epartment of Science and Technology, Science, and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB), Government of India
Department of Health Research (DHR) Young Scientist Grant
ICMR-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research, Pune, India
Indian Council of Medical Research and ICMR-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research, Pune, India