Implications of early apoptosis of infected cells as an important host defense.
Apoptosis is widely recognized as being a host defense against viral infections, since viruses require live cells. There has been increasing acceptance of the view that apoptosis is also a defense against other intracellular pathogens and even against pathogens that adhere to host cells. An implication of apoptosis being a host defense is a need to reassess to what extent the cell death at infection sites may constitute a protective host response. A concept stressed here is that infected cells are a hazard to other cells and to the individual, so the benefits of early apoptosis are emphasized. Therefore, promoting the survival of infected cells, even though still functional, may carry risks. A further consideration is the possibility that the apoptotic stimulus of nutrient restriction may be acting in infection-induced anorexia to promote apoptosis of infected cells, thereby serving as a non-specific host defense.
LeGrand
E K
EK
Pathology Department, R. W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Raritan, NJ 08869, USA. elegrand@prius.jnj.com
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D006801:Humans; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*