The association and LINKGAGE of various retroviruses ANDITS progression towards Neurodegeneration

Abstract

ABSTRACT Effective prevention and treatment of infectious diseases has played an enormous role for the healthy outlook of human being. However at the same time, chronic ailments such as neurodegenerative diseases are on rapid rise, afflicting several hundred million individuals worldwide. The commonly known and studied diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Frontal Temporal Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In this review article we highlight the importance of viruses in the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases and cerebral palsy. The viruses included retroviruses, HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8, members of the retroviruses, endogenous retrotranspsons and enteroviruses family. Viral gene and their interplay with the cellular machinery are also highlighted. The pathways that are perturbed by the viral infections are discussed and strategy is defined to combat such infections. Although there is no direct evidence that neurodegenerative diseases are caused by viruses, aberrant inflammatory reactions triggered by viral infections are critical determinant of neurodegeneration. This is predominantly preferential in individual with genetic mutations or epigenetic divergences that modulate the immune response or susceptibility to viral diseases. More specifically, we amalgamate concept that inflammation resulting from viral infections can initiate and propagate chronic neuronal dysfunction. In summary the therapeutic approaches to target immunological pathways of disease are presented to lower the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders and to create therapeutic opportunities for neuroprotection. Keywords: Neurodegenerative, Viruses, Therapeutic, Pathway