Narrative review demonstrates how viral receptors function as dynamic signalling hubs during infection, highlighting novel opportunities for host-targeted antiviral therapeutics.
Key Points
To evaluate the expanded role of viral receptors beyond passive docking determinants, examining how receptor engagement regulates intracellular trafficking, downstream signalling, and systemic disease progression.
Synthesized molecular and translational evidence distinguishing attachment factors, entry receptors, co-receptors, and receptor-like immune sensors across viral families.
Analyzed the concept of receptor landscapes across epithelial and endothelial barriers modulated by development, ageing, inflammation, and comorbidities.
Viral receptors operate as central regulatory control nodes that dictate endocytic routing, cellular permissiveness, tissue tropism, and systemic dissemination.
Barrier failure and interconnected feedback loops across organs arise from dynamic alterations in tissue-specific receptor topologies under physiological and pathological stress.
Targeting receptor-mediated regulatory networks provides distinct pathways for developing host-directed interventions, decoy receptors, and diagnostic biomarkers.