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 b oth influenza A and influenza B viruses, which are cytopathogenic negative- strand RNA viruses. The importance of influenza Viruses as worldwide pathog ens in humans and domestic animals is well recognized. In this report, we r eview the current state of knowledge of the mechanism(s) of influenza virus -induced apoptosis. Several cellular factors and at least one virus-specifi c protein, the nonstructural protein NS1, have been implicated in influenza virus-induced apoptosis. However, the mechanism(s) of influenza virus-indu ced apoptosis are not well understood at the present time. (C) 1998 Academi c Press.