Orchestrated efforts on host network hijacking: Processes governing virus replication

Dai, Xiaofeng; Hakizimana, Olivier; Zhang, Xuanhao; Kaushik, Aman Chandra; Zhang, Jianying

The two cell survival programs, autophagy and programmed cell death (typically apoptosis), are oppositely switched on/off at different stages by viruses to create a favorable environment for virus replication. Autophagy plays vital roles in retarding mitochondriamediated apoptosis [137] and is typically modulated reversely with apoptosis. Promoting autophagy while suppressing apoptosis during the early stage of virus infection is common for many viruses. This is because that amphisome formation, nutrient, and energy supply are necessary during virus entry, delivery, and replication, and it is important to maintain a viable host cellular environment before the maturation of viral particles [138] . Late stage suppression of autophagy and activation of apoptosis is favorable for successful infection of many viruses. This is to protect viral progenies from immune-related digestion during viral egression, as apoptosis (being a programmed cell death) does not stimulate immune response.