Perspective: virus infections and the death of neurons

Trends Microbiol. 1999 Apr;7(4):155-60. doi: 10.1016/s0966-842x(99)01470-5.

Abstract

Neuronotropic viruses induce apoptosis in neurons, and Bcl-2-related anti-apoptotic proteins and caspase inhibitors decrease mortality from acute viral encephalitis. Infected neurons develop cytoplasmic blebbing characteristic of apoptosis, but a paucity of apoptotic nuclear changes potentially indicates unique aspects of virus-induced neuronal apoptosis that remain to be discovered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis* / physiology
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Central Nervous System Infections / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Infections / physiopathology
  • Central Nervous System Infections / virology*
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neurons / virology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virus Diseases / pathology
  • Virus Diseases / physiopathology*