Influenza-virus-induced signaling cascades: targets for antiviral therapy?

Trends Mol Med. 2003 Feb;9(2):46-52. doi: 10.1016/s1471-4914(02)00010-2.

Abstract

Influenza viruses continue to pose a severe threat worldwide, causing thousands of deaths and an enormous economic loss every year. The major problem in fighting influenza is the high genetic variability of the virus, resulting in the rapid formation of variants that escape the acquired immunity against previous virus strains, or have resistance to antiviral agents. Every virus depends on its host cell and, hence, cellular functions that are essential for viral replication might be suitable targets for antiviral therapy. As a result, intracellular signaling cascades induced by the virus, in particular mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, have recently come into focus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / drug effects*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Orthomyxoviridae / drug effects*
  • Orthomyxoviridae / genetics
  • Orthomyxoviridae / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases