title: Virus-mediated modulation of the host endocrine signaling systems: clinical implications.
abstract: Viruses, which are among the simplest infective pathogens, can produce characteristic endocrine manifestations in infected patients. In addition to the classic modification of the host endocrine system by either direct or indirect destruction of the endocrine organs and/or effects exerted by systemic production of inflammatory and/or stress mediators, recent progress in molecular virology and endocrinology has revealed that virus-encoded molecules might alter the host endocrine-signaling systems by affecting extracellular and/or intracellular signal transduction and hormone sensitivity of host target tissues. Here, we provide a brief overview of such viral-mediated modulation of host endocrine signaling systems. We propose that virus-encoded molecules and the signaling systems they influence are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of disorders that are associated with some viral infections.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Endocrinology Section, Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1109, USA. kinot@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Tomoshige
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kino
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents