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Review
Impact of cellular autophagy on viruses: Insights from hepatitis B virus and human retroviruses
1 Molecular Virology Section, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-0460, USA
2 Laboratory of Hepacivirus and Innate Immunity, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
Journal of Biomedical Science 2012, 19:92 doi:10.1186/1423-0127-19-92
Published: 30 October 2012Abstract
Autophagy is a protein degradative process important for normal cellular metabolism. It is apparently used also by cells to eliminate invading pathogens. Interestingly, many pathogens have learned to subvert the cell’s autophagic process. Here, we review the interactions between viruses and cells in regards to cellular autophagy. Using findings from hepatitis B virus and human retroviruses, HIV-1 and HTLV-1, we discuss mechanisms used by viruses to usurp cellular autophagy in ways that benefit viral replication.
