Induction of Apoptosis by Influenza Virus

It has been postulated that virus-induced apoptosis is an important factor in pathogenesis caused by cytopathogenic viruses. Apoptosis is induced by both influenza A and influenza B viruses, which are cytopathogenic negative-strand RNA viruses. The importance of influenza viruses as worldwide pathogens in humans and domestic animals is well recognized. In this report, we review the current state of knowledge of the mechanism(s) of influenza virus-induced apoptosis. Several cellular factors and at least one virus-specific protein, the nonstructural protein NS1, have been implicated in influenza virus-induced apoptosis. However, the mechanism(s) of influenza virus-induced apoptosis are not well understood at the present time.