Short Communication
Open Access
Autophagy and Its Implication in Antiviral Immunity
Houda Khatif and Ingo Drexler
Institute for Virology, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr.1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
*Corresponding author: Ingo Drexler, Institute for Virology, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr.1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany, Tel: + 49-(0)211-811-2781, E-mail:
@
Received: October 06, 2014; Accepted: November 11, 2014; Published: November 23, 2014
Citation: Khatif H, Drexler I (2014) Autophagy and Its Implication in Antiviral Immunity. SOJ Immunol 2(2): 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.15226/soji/2/2/00117
Abstract Top
Autophagy is a catabolic mechanism developed in eukaryotes in
order to maintain cellular homeostasis and development. It is also
an essential constituent of the immune system since it is involved
in the MHC class I and II antigen generation and exerts an antiviral
effect. However many viruses are either able to inhibit or induce
autophagy to avoid their own elimination or to favor their replication
by interacting with different complexes of the autophagy pathway.
This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of autophagy
and its importance in immunity. It describes the different strategies
that viruses have adopted to hijack this process.
Keywords: Autophagy; Antigen processing and presentation; MHC Class I and II; CD4+ T cells; Viral infection; Immune evasion
Keywords: Autophagy; Antigen processing and presentation; MHC Class I and II; CD4+ T cells; Viral infection; Immune evasion
Introduction
Extracellular antigens are taken up through endocytosis.
Activation of specific proteases leads to acidification of endosomal
vesicles and degradation of exogenous proteins into peptides.
Contrary to micro‐ or chaperone mediated autophagy, where the
substrates are directly delivered to lysosomes for degradation,
macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) is
divided into different phases starting with the formation of
autophagosomes, generated from a pre‐autophagosomal
structure known as phagophore. Autophagosomes were detected
in the late 1950’s for the first time in mammalian cells through
electron microscopy [1,2]. They belong to double‐membrane
vesicles that are responsible for the sequestration of cytosolic
components, including damaged organelles, polyubiquitinated
protein aggregates and pathogens [3]. Their fusion with
lysosomes contributes to the formation of autolysosomes, which
promote cargo degradation and vesicle break‐down conducted
by acidic hydrolases (Figure 1). Autophagy is also defined
as a process which occurs in eukaryotic cells, and can either
be induced or inhibited to maintain tissue homeostasis and
development. However, since defective autophagy is associated
with numerous diseases such as chronic inflammatory diseases
(e.g. neurodegenerative or pulmonary diseases) or cancer, it
plays an essential role in immunity [4]. For this reason, pathogens
and especially viruses have developed specific mechanisms to
inhibit autophagy or to take advantage from this machinery for
their own replication and by this way to manipulate or evade the
immune system.
Molecular Regulation of Autophagy
Autophagy was originally identified by Ashford and Porter
in rat hepatocytes and described to be a cellular response to
starvation [5]. Autophagy-related genes (Atgs), which were
actually identified in yeast, are conserved in eukaryotic cells and
participate in autophagosome formation [6-8]. Energy depletion,
starvation or infection, are responsible for activation of autophagy,
which involves the induction of a highly sophisticated signaling
cascade initiated by the AMP- Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK)-
mediated stimulation of the ULK1:Atg13:FIP200 complex as
described below [4]. In the presence of growth or nutrient factors
like insulin or amino acids, mammalian Target of Rapamycin
(mTOR) is stimulated and autophagosome formation is disabled
[Figure2] [9]. mTOR is a 280 kDa large Ser/Thr protein kinase,
which is implicated into cellular metabolism regulation [10].
mTOR resides in two complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2 [11].
mTORC2 is rapamycin insensitive and mainly responsible for
the rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton [12]. On the other hand,
mTORC1 is rapamycin sensitive and constituted of mTOR, The G
protein beta subunit-like protein (GβL), the regulatory associated
protein of mTOR (raptor) and the Proline-Rich Akt/PKB substrate
40 kDa (PRAS40). It monitors protein synthesis, nutrient import
and Autophagy [10,11,13,14]. mTORC1 activation is controlled
by the class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway
through perception of growth factors [13,15]. In the case of energy
deprivation and ATP decrease, mTORC1 blockage is mediated via
AMPK to stimulate autophagy [15]. Autophagy is triggered by
stimulating the ULK1:Atg13:FIP200 complex through inhibition
of mTOR [16-18]. The Unc- 51-like Kinase (ULK)-1 and the 200
kDa focal adhesion kinase family- interacting protein (FIP200)
interact with Atg13, which in turn is stabilized by the expression
of Atg101 [11,19,20]. Phagophore nucleation and assembly
necessitate the initiation of the PI3K complex, composed of the
class III PI3K, the regulatory protein kinase p150, Beclin 1 and
Atg14L, a Beclin 1-associated key regulator [21,22]. This results
in the production of Phosphatidylinositol-3-Phosphate (PI3P),
which enables autophagosome formation (Figure 2).
Vesicle elongation is promoted by two ubiquitin‐like
conjugation systems [9]. For the first system, Atg12 is activated
Figure 1: The different steps of Autophagy: Autophagosomes develop from a pre‐structure called phagophore. Through vesicle elongation, the
cargo is sequestered by the autophagosome and degraded after autolysosome formation. The components are either released or used for recycling or
may serve as peptides for MHC class II antigen presentation [4].
Figure 2: Activating signaling cascade for Autophagy: Autophagy can be induced or inhibited bydiverse factors. In the case of induction, different
complexes are triggered leading to final autophagosome formation. However, inhibition of autophagy is mediated by activation of the mTOR complex.
by the E1-like enzyme Atg7 and conjugation of Atg12 to Atg5
is sustained by the E2-like enzyme Atg10. Binding of Atg16L1
to Atg5-Atg12, which exhibits an E3-like enzyme activity,
contributes to the generation of a heterotrimeric complex,
located at the phagophore membrane. This complex, together
with the Atg4B protease, Atg7 and Atg3, encompass the second
ubiquitin-like conjugation system, which establishes the
interaction between phosphatidyl Ethanolamine (PE) and the
microtubule- associated protein light chain 3 (LC3-I, mammalian
homolog of Atg8). The conversion of LC3-I to the lipidated and
membrane-associated form LC3-II (PE conjugated) is a common
marker and regulator for autophagosome formation that directs
further steps of Autophagy [9].
After fusion of lysosome with autophagosome, specific acidic
hydrolases are released inside of the autolysosome, leading to cargo degradation and finally to vesicle breakdown for metabolic
recycling (Figure 1). Previous investigations demonstrated that
autophagy is strongly implicated into the adaptive immune
response especially in the generation of Major Histocompatibility
Complex (MHC) class II restricted antigens [23‐25] but can also
be involved in innate immunity and generation of MHC class I
peptides as described below.
Autophagy‐Related MHC class I and II Peptide
Generation
Infectious, pathogen‐derived antigens are presented by MHC
class I or II molecules to surveilling T‐cells.Contrary to MHC class I
molecules, which are expressed on all nucleated cells, MHC class II
is only found on professional Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs) like
Dendritic Cells (DCs), B‐cells, macrophages and certain epithelial
cells. Additionally, MHC class I antigens are from cytosolic origin and processed by proteasomes to be translocated into the
endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the Transporter Associated with
antigen Processing (TAP) [26]. However MHC class I peptides can
also be generated through Autophagy. This was firstly shown by
English et al. in the context of HSV‐1 infected macrophages [27],
which identified the implication of a vacuolar pathway in the
generation of endogenous MHC class I antigens for CD8+ T‐cell
stimulation. Although this process differs in some aspects from
the conventional macroautophagy, e.g. detection of two and four
layered membrane structures, accumulation of LC3 molecules
and the dependence on Atg5 at 6‐8 hours post infection revealed
the existence of a connection between autophagy and MHC class
I antigen presentation [27]. An alternative autophagy‐mediated
endogenous MHC class I peptide presentation was characterized
as being TAP‐independent and implied the use of a vacuolar
pathway. This was described for the Human Cytomegalovirus
(HCMV) ‐ encoded pUL138 protein, which can either be generated
by the conventional route or through lysosomal proteases [28].
MHC class I molecules are also known to present extracellular
antigens in APCs to CD8+ T‐cells via cross‐presentation [29].
In line with this, knockdown of specific Atgs (e.g. Beclin‐1 and
Atg12) in tumor cells caused a significant decrease in crosspresentation.
This assumes the dependence of cross‐presentation
on autophagy, playing an essential role in antigen delivery to DCs,
although the exact mechanism is not completely understood [30].
Regarding MHC class II antigens, they are mainly generated from exogenous proteins [31,32] but can also be from nuclear and cytosolic origin if processed through Autophagy [31,33]. In support of this notion, 20‐ 30% of natural MHC class II ligands turned out to be derived from endogenous proteins produced through Autophagy [2,23,34]. To provide efficient antigen presentation, the MHC class II α‐ and β‐chain assemble in the ER and interfere with the invariant chain (Ii), to prevent the binding of premature epitopes. Thus, this complex is transported to the acidic endosomal MHC class II compartment (MIIC) within APCs, where Ii is digested, leaving a class II associated Ii peptide (CLIP). The binding of MHC class II antigens is mediated by HLA‐DR, being responsible for the dissociation of CLIP from the peptide binding groove. Antigens generated via autophagy are delivered to MHC class II molecules through direct fusion of autophagosomes with MIIC, or with endosomes which then in turn merge with MIIC [35,36]. A recent study posits the existence of endosomemediated autophagy in DCs, characterized by the formation of MIIC-derived autophagosomes [37], which supplementary confirms the relationship between autophagy and MHC class II antigen presentation. Hence, the MHC class II complex is released from MIIC and peptides are presented to CD4+ T- cells [Figure 3] [31].
Regarding MHC class II antigens, they are mainly generated from exogenous proteins [31,32] but can also be from nuclear and cytosolic origin if processed through Autophagy [31,33]. In support of this notion, 20‐ 30% of natural MHC class II ligands turned out to be derived from endogenous proteins produced through Autophagy [2,23,34]. To provide efficient antigen presentation, the MHC class II α‐ and β‐chain assemble in the ER and interfere with the invariant chain (Ii), to prevent the binding of premature epitopes. Thus, this complex is transported to the acidic endosomal MHC class II compartment (MIIC) within APCs, where Ii is digested, leaving a class II associated Ii peptide (CLIP). The binding of MHC class II antigens is mediated by HLA‐DR, being responsible for the dissociation of CLIP from the peptide binding groove. Antigens generated via autophagy are delivered to MHC class II molecules through direct fusion of autophagosomes with MIIC, or with endosomes which then in turn merge with MIIC [35,36]. A recent study posits the existence of endosomemediated autophagy in DCs, characterized by the formation of MIIC-derived autophagosomes [37], which supplementary confirms the relationship between autophagy and MHC class II antigen presentation. Hence, the MHC class II complex is released from MIIC and peptides are presented to CD4+ T- cells [Figure 3] [31].
Autophagy in Innate and Adaptive Immunity
In case of an infection, it´s is well known that APC activation is
conducted through binding of pathogens to Pattern‐Recognition
Receptors (PRRs) which are subdivided into different classes,
comprising the membrane‐bound Toll- like Receptors (TLRs).
TLRs recognize microbial patterns to induce an innate immune
response which is initially implemented by a downstream signaling cascade, including the adaptor molecules myeloid
differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88) and
TIR domain‐containing adaptor protein inducing interferon
β (TRIF), with ensuing release of type I interferons and proinflammatory
cytokines from innate immune cells like dendritic
cells or macrophages [38]. MyD88 and TRIF were described to
be involved in activation of autophagy by targeting Beclin-1 [39],
emphasizing a direct connection between pathogen recognition
and autophagy induction. Here, autophagy serves as an initial
response but is additionally known to be a key component of the
adaptive immune system.
The importance of Autophagy was also defined in the context of lymphocyte development and activity. The up-regulation of costimulatory signals released by APCs, sustains their migration to lymphoid organs. There, APCs and naive CD4+ T-cells encounter and interact with each other via detection of pathogen- peptides presented by MHC class II molecules [40], a process which is known as T-cell priming [41]. Lee and coworkers highlighted the significance of Atg5 for antigen presentation by DCs, since deletion of Atg5 affected CD4+-T cell priming upon viral infection [42]. After identification of their cognate peptide, naive CD4+-T cells undergo cell division and differentiation into T helper 1 (TH1), T helper 2 (TH2), follicular T helpers, pro‐inflammatory T helper 17 or regulatory T cells, depending on the milieu of cytokines [40]. All together these cells promote the growth and survival of T‐lymphocytes, macrophages, B‐cells and initiate inflammatory responses in order to induce a pathogen‐specific answer by the immune system. The generation of Atg5‐deficient mice resulted in a decrease of T- and B-lymphocyte production and impaired their proliferation [43,44]. Li et al. detected a stronger expression of LC3‐GFP dots in TH2 cells, and assumed that autophagy takes place in TH2 more than in TH1 cells [45]. Being an important component of the autophagy cascade, mice lacking class III PI3K in a specific T-cell lineage exhibited not only major defects in the autophagic flux, but moreover showed disturbed T‐cell regulation and developed later on an inflammatory wasting syndrome [46]. Importance of autophagy was furthermore revealed in the context of memory B‐cells in mice showing increased levels of Atgs and autophagosome formation in first instance as a response against influenza virus infection [47]. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that autophagy is strongly involved in the control of CD4+ T-cell homeostasis and is a constitutive part of the adaptive immune system.
The importance of Autophagy was also defined in the context of lymphocyte development and activity. The up-regulation of costimulatory signals released by APCs, sustains their migration to lymphoid organs. There, APCs and naive CD4+ T-cells encounter and interact with each other via detection of pathogen- peptides presented by MHC class II molecules [40], a process which is known as T-cell priming [41]. Lee and coworkers highlighted the significance of Atg5 for antigen presentation by DCs, since deletion of Atg5 affected CD4+-T cell priming upon viral infection [42]. After identification of their cognate peptide, naive CD4+-T cells undergo cell division and differentiation into T helper 1 (TH1), T helper 2 (TH2), follicular T helpers, pro‐inflammatory T helper 17 or regulatory T cells, depending on the milieu of cytokines [40]. All together these cells promote the growth and survival of T‐lymphocytes, macrophages, B‐cells and initiate inflammatory responses in order to induce a pathogen‐specific answer by the immune system. The generation of Atg5‐deficient mice resulted in a decrease of T- and B-lymphocyte production and impaired their proliferation [43,44]. Li et al. detected a stronger expression of LC3‐GFP dots in TH2 cells, and assumed that autophagy takes place in TH2 more than in TH1 cells [45]. Being an important component of the autophagy cascade, mice lacking class III PI3K in a specific T-cell lineage exhibited not only major defects in the autophagic flux, but moreover showed disturbed T‐cell regulation and developed later on an inflammatory wasting syndrome [46]. Importance of autophagy was furthermore revealed in the context of memory B‐cells in mice showing increased levels of Atgs and autophagosome formation in first instance as a response against influenza virus infection [47]. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that autophagy is strongly involved in the control of CD4+ T-cell homeostasis and is a constitutive part of the adaptive immune system.
Anti- and proviral effects of Autophagy
Autophagy comprises the elimination of intracellular
pathogens in infected cells through lysosomal degradation. This
process is commonly referred to as xenophagy [4,48]. Beside their
regulatory role in autophagy, Atg proteins have been reported
to be essential to mount an effective immune response to fight
against viral infections [49]. The contribution of Atg proteins to
cellular host defense was firstly depicted in the context of Sindbis
virus infection and its regulation by Beclin 1 (also known as Atg6).
Overexpression of the Bcl‐2 interacting protein Beclin 1 led to an increased survival of Sindbis virus infected mice and protection
against lethal encephalitis [50]. Reed et al, [51] illustrated the
constitutive role of Beclin 1 in DCs upon respiratory syncytial
virus infection. Mice with severe deficiencies in autophagy
emanating from Beclin 1 haploinsufficiency, exhibited a reduced
MHC class II expression and down‐ regulation of innate cytokine
synthesis, resulting in serious lung pathology as a consequence.
Further studies indicated a critical role of the Atg5‐Atg12/
Atg16L1 complex for interferon-γ mediated antiviral responses
in norovirus‐infected mice [52]. Moreover DCs, B‐ and epithelial
cells expressing the Influenza A Matrix Protein 1 (M1) in fusion
with LC3, demonstrated a 20‐fold higher M1‐specific MHC class II
presentation to CD4+ T- cell clones than cells expressing M1 alone
[35]. These outcomes emphasize the implication of autophagy in
the host antiviral defense.
However, many viruses evolved different mechanisms to inhibit autophagy and therefore to ensure their survival and development in their host cells [Figure 4]. A very wellexploited example is the expression of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) encoded inhibitory protein ICP34.5 which blocks the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) by interacting with Beclin-1 and Protein-Kinase R (PKR) [53]. A further HSV-1 protein called US11 was also characterized to prevent autophagy through repression of PKR [54]. Further investigations represented the inhibitory role of the HCMV protein TRS1 on autophagy during the late phase of infection [55]. This effect could either be ascribed to the interaction of TRS1 with PKR [56] or as demonstrated by Chaumorcel et al. to binding of TRS1 to Beclin 1 [55]. First in vitro experiments reported interleukin-10 to be able to inhibit HCMV replication by blocking autophagy [57]. This study reinforces the existing dependence of HCMV on autophagy. In another case, infection of human lung epithelial cells with Influenza A virus (IAV) resulted in the accumulation of autophagosomes as a consequence of ceased fusion with lysosomes which could be attributed to viral Matrix Protein 2 (M2) [58]. Recent studies could show that this is due to interaction of LC3 protein with M2, which mimics the interaction of LC3 with its interaction motif, resulting in relocalization of LC3 at the plasma membrane. This was observed at time of virus budding of IAV infected cells and was assessed to be a critical step for viral replication [59]. Additionally, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was described to block autophagosome formation through liberation of HIV tat and interleukin-10 [3,60]. HIV nef was proved to be at the origin of restrained autophagosome maturation [3,61]. In some cases, as for Hepatitis B virus (HBV), the impact of infection on autophagy stays elusive. First publications elucidated autophagy inducing activity of HBV protein X (HBx) through stimulation of a deathassociated protein kinase [62]. Although autophagosome formation and LC3 protein detection would favor the idea of HBVinduced autophagy, Liu and coworkers described HBx to impair lysosomal acidification and therefore to inhibit the autophagic degradation, having development of hepatocellular carcinoma as a consequence [63].
Disregarding prevention and repression of autophagy, viruses are even more able to induce and subvert autophagy for their own benefit [Figure 4]. Investigating this aspect, it was reported that Polio Virus (PV) infection enhances the formation of doublemembrane structures [64,65] corresponding to LC3-positive vesicles [66]. These arranged membranes were suggested to originate from autophagy, for support of viral replication and release of virions [67]. Similar observations were made for another single stranded RNA virus, the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) [68,69]. Contrary to PV, autophagy is only required in the early stage of infection for translation and de novo synthesis of the HCV genome [70,71]. Viruses can supplementary use the autophagy machinery for their replication. Wen et al. indicated that a Kaposi’ Sarcoma-associated Herpes virus (KSHV) infection causes an increase in the number of autophagic vesicles and LC3-lipidation, resulting in a reactivation and lytic replication of the virus, which was strongly down-regulated with autophagy inhibition [72]. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) uses a similar mechanism, where
However, many viruses evolved different mechanisms to inhibit autophagy and therefore to ensure their survival and development in their host cells [Figure 4]. A very wellexploited example is the expression of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) encoded inhibitory protein ICP34.5 which blocks the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) by interacting with Beclin-1 and Protein-Kinase R (PKR) [53]. A further HSV-1 protein called US11 was also characterized to prevent autophagy through repression of PKR [54]. Further investigations represented the inhibitory role of the HCMV protein TRS1 on autophagy during the late phase of infection [55]. This effect could either be ascribed to the interaction of TRS1 with PKR [56] or as demonstrated by Chaumorcel et al. to binding of TRS1 to Beclin 1 [55]. First in vitro experiments reported interleukin-10 to be able to inhibit HCMV replication by blocking autophagy [57]. This study reinforces the existing dependence of HCMV on autophagy. In another case, infection of human lung epithelial cells with Influenza A virus (IAV) resulted in the accumulation of autophagosomes as a consequence of ceased fusion with lysosomes which could be attributed to viral Matrix Protein 2 (M2) [58]. Recent studies could show that this is due to interaction of LC3 protein with M2, which mimics the interaction of LC3 with its interaction motif, resulting in relocalization of LC3 at the plasma membrane. This was observed at time of virus budding of IAV infected cells and was assessed to be a critical step for viral replication [59]. Additionally, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was described to block autophagosome formation through liberation of HIV tat and interleukin-10 [3,60]. HIV nef was proved to be at the origin of restrained autophagosome maturation [3,61]. In some cases, as for Hepatitis B virus (HBV), the impact of infection on autophagy stays elusive. First publications elucidated autophagy inducing activity of HBV protein X (HBx) through stimulation of a deathassociated protein kinase [62]. Although autophagosome formation and LC3 protein detection would favor the idea of HBVinduced autophagy, Liu and coworkers described HBx to impair lysosomal acidification and therefore to inhibit the autophagic degradation, having development of hepatocellular carcinoma as a consequence [63].
Disregarding prevention and repression of autophagy, viruses are even more able to induce and subvert autophagy for their own benefit [Figure 4]. Investigating this aspect, it was reported that Polio Virus (PV) infection enhances the formation of doublemembrane structures [64,65] corresponding to LC3-positive vesicles [66]. These arranged membranes were suggested to originate from autophagy, for support of viral replication and release of virions [67]. Similar observations were made for another single stranded RNA virus, the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) [68,69]. Contrary to PV, autophagy is only required in the early stage of infection for translation and de novo synthesis of the HCV genome [70,71]. Viruses can supplementary use the autophagy machinery for their replication. Wen et al. indicated that a Kaposi’ Sarcoma-associated Herpes virus (KSHV) infection causes an increase in the number of autophagic vesicles and LC3-lipidation, resulting in a reactivation and lytic replication of the virus, which was strongly down-regulated with autophagy inhibition [72]. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) uses a similar mechanism, where
Figure 3: MHC class II presentation of autophagy processed antigens: MHC class II molecules and liassemble in the ER. The complex is then conducted
from the Golgi to the MIIC through vesicle transport, where li is digested leaving CLIP. Simultaneously, auto phagosomes fuse with endosomes
or MIIC for delivery and binding of antigens to MHC class II molecules, after HLA‐DR mediated their dissociation from CLIP. Thus newly peptideloaded
MHC class II complexes are transported to the cell surface and expose autophagy processed peptide epitopes to CD4+‐T cells to be recognized
by their specific T cell receptors.
virus propagation is also provided through autophagy vesicle
transport [73]. On the other hand, during the latent phase of
KSHV infection, autophagy is blocked in DCs which is presumably
related to phosphorylation of Signal Transducer and Activator of
Transcription 3 (STAT3), causing DC dysfunction and therefore
immune evasion and virus persistence in the host [74]. The
supportive role of autophagy was furthermore delineated in
correlation with Dengue virus (DV) infection. An increased LC3‐II
expression, autophagosome formation and triggered autophagic
flux in brain tissues of infected suckling mice led back to
enhanced autophagy, probably to promote viral replication and
pathogenesis [75]. The influence and dependence of pathogens
on autophagy was additionally depicted in the context of Measles
virus (MeV) infection [76]. MeV infection induces autophagy via
different signaling pathways to limit the number of dying cells and
improve formation of viral particles. Richetta, et al. demonstrated
that infection of HeLa cells with an attenuated form of MeV elicits
distinct waves of autophagy, involving in a first step the MeV
cellular receptor CD46 and scaffold protein GOPC. After infection,
viral replication and the expression of the non‐structural measles
virus protein C, initiate the second wave of autophagy, which can
be sustained through a third autophagy signal in infected cells,
being the outcome of cell‐cell fusion and formation of syncytia
[76]. Viruses like Vaccinia Virus (VACV), seem to replicate
independently of autophagy, but can still disrupt Autophagy
[77,78]. Moloughney, et al. noticed a considerable LC3‐lipidation
after VACV infection, which was probably mediated through
direct conjugation of Atg3 to Atg12. Despite these findings,
neither autophagosome formation nor autophagic flux could be
detected [77]. Nevertheless, previous investigations reported
the capacity of VACV to replicate in autophagy‐deficient cells as
efficiently as in wild‐type cells [79], indicating that virus may
Figure 4: MHC class II presentation of autophagy processed antigens: MHC class II molecules and liassemble in the ER. The complex is then conducted
from the Golgi to the MIIC through vesicle transport, where li is digested leaving CLIP. Simultaneously, auto phagosomes fuse with endosomes
or MIIC for delivery and binding of antigens to MHC class II molecules, after HLA‐DR mediated their dissociation from CLIP. Thus newly peptideloaded
MHC class II complexes are transported to the cell surface and expose autophagy processed peptide epitopes to CD4+‐T cells to be recognized
by their specific T cell receptors.
not need autophagy for replication. Ectromelia virus (ECTV),
which also belongs to the poxvirus family and is known to causes
disease in mice, induces autophagy too [80], however studies
regarding replication of ECTV and autophagy were not directed
so far. Overall there are different strategies how viruses interact
with the autophagy pathway.
Conclusion
In the last decades, autophagy has sparked huge interest and
was shown to be involved in immunity. On one hand, autophagy
participates in the cellular host defense through degradation
of pathogens; but, on the other hand, impaired autophagy may
result in neurological or immunological disorders and cancer.
Additionally, during co‐evolution with their mammalian host,
many viruses have developed specific strategies to inhibit,
manipulate or counteract the autophagy process. Acquiring
deeper knowledge about the autophagy pathway, would grant
further interest in how this machinery works by benefiting either
the immune system or virus proliferation. These findings might
be the basis for development of new viral therapeutics [81].
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