Apoptosis signaling in influenza virus propagation, innate host defense, and lung injury

A review of mechanisms of apoptosis induction in influenza virus-infected cells, and the impact of apoptotic signaling on viral propagation, immune responses, and tissue injury. Programmed cell death is a crucial cellular response frequently observed in IV-infected tissue. This article reviews the current knowledge on the molecular virus–host interactions that induce apoptosis pathways in an IV-infected cell and the functional implications of these cellular signaling events on viral propagation at distinct steps during the viral replication cycle. Furthermore, it summarizes the role of IV-induced apoptosis pathways in equilibrating the hostˈs antiviral immune response between effective viral clearance and development of severe apoptotic lung injury.