Modulation of Apoptosis and Cell Death Pathways by Varicella-Zoster Virus

Megan Steain; Barry Slobedman; Allison Abendroth

doi:10.1007/82_2021_249

Modulation of Apoptosis and Cell Death Pathways by Varicella-Zoster Virus

Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2023:438:59-73. doi: 10.1007/82_2021_249.

Authors

Megan Steain^{1

2}, Barry Slobedman^{1

2}, Allison Abendroth^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Level 5 (East) D17, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
² Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Level 5 (East) D17, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. allison.abendroth@sydney.edu.au.
⁴ Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. allison.abendroth@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 35624346
DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_249

Abstract

Like other herpesviruses, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) evolved a wide range of functions to modulate a broad array of host defences, presumably as a means to provide a survival advantage to the virus during infection. In addition to control of components of the adaptive immune response, VZV also modulates a range of innate responses. In this context, it has become increasingly apparent that VZV encodes specific functions that interfere with programmed cell death (PCD) pathways. This review will overview the current understanding of VZV-mediated control of PCD pathways, focussing on the three most well-defined PCD pathways: apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis. We will also discuss future directions about these PCD pathways that are yet to be explored in the context of VZV infection.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Programmed cell death; Varicella-zoster virus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adaptive Immunity
Apoptosis*
Herpesvirus 3, Human* / physiology