Viral modulation of cell death by inhibition of caspases

• Authors: U. Cassens , G. Lewinski , A.K. Samraj , Bernuth H. von_ , H. Baust , K. Khazaie , M. Los
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Caspases are key effectors of the apoptotic process. Some of them play an important role in the immune system, being involved in proteolytic maturation of the key cytokines including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The latter directs the production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Among pathogens, particularly viruses express various modulators of caspases that inhibit their activity by direct binding. By evading the apoptotic process viruses can better control their production in the infected cell, and avoid the attack of immune system. Targeting of the maturation of the key cytokines involved in the initiation of (antiviral) immune response helps to avoid the recognition and eradication by the immune system. The three main classes of caspase inhibitors frequently found among viruses include serpins (CrmA/SPI-2), viral IAPs (vIAPs) and p35. Their molecular mechanism of action, structure and the overall influence on cellular physiology is discussed in the review below.

Keywords

EN

APOPTOSIS; CASPASE; GRANZYME B

Discipline

• IMMUNOLOGY: IMMUNOLOGY

• Publisher: Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis
• Year: 2003
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 19-27

Contributors

author

U. Cassens

author

G. Lewinski

author

A.K. Samraj

author

Bernuth H. von_

author

H. Baust

author

K. Khazaie

author

M. Los

• Document Type: REVIEW
• Publication order reference: Uwe Cassens, Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Muenster, D-48149 Muenster, Germany