The role of autophagy in viral infections

Abstract

Highlights 1. This review focuses on the interaction between autophagy and viruses, explaining how autophagy serves multiple roles in viral infection, with either proviral or antiviral functions. 2. Based on different steps of autophagy and the regulation of immune responses by autophagy, this review oversees the role of autophagy in viral replication, maturation, egress and cell–cell spreading. 3. This review provides an important foundation for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral treatment strategies and drugs based on the regulation of autophagy.

Keywords

• Autophagy degradation
• Immune response
• Selective autophagy
• Viral infection
• Viral replication