Viruses and the Diversity of Cell Death

Abstract

Cell death is a common outcome of virus infection. In some cases, cell death curbs virus replication. In others, cell death enhances virus dissemination and contributes to tissue injury, exacerbating viral disease. Three forms of cell death are observed following virus infection-apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. In this review, I describe the core machinery needed for each of these forms of cell death. Using representative viruses, I highlight how distinct stages of virus replication initiate signaling pathways that elicit these forms of cell death. I also discuss viral strategies to overcome the deleterious effects of cell death on virus propagation and the consequences of cell death for host physiology.

Keywords: apoptosis; cell death; necroptosis; pyroptosis; virus.