Viruses (Aug 2024)

HSV-2 Manipulates Autophagy through Interferon Pathway: A Strategy for Viral Survival

  • Debashree Dass,
  • Anwesha Banerjee,
  • Kishore Dhotre,
  • Vaishnavi Sonawane,
  • Ashwini More,
  • Anupam Mukherjee

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091383
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 9
p. 1383

Abstract

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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.

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