The Epstein-Barr virus is a well-known cell cycle modulator. To establish successful infection in the host, EBV alters the cell cycle at multiple steps via antigens such as EBNAs, LMPs, and certain other EBV-encoded transcripts. Interestingly, several recent studies have indicated the possibility of EBV's neurotrophic potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn malaria endemic countries, coinfections and cotransmissions of different viral pathogens are widely reported. Prior studies have shown that malaria can trigger the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation in the body. Besides, the altered immunity due to malaria could increase susceptibility to acquire co-circulating viruses like SARS-CoV-2 or vice versa during pandemic times.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. The axis keeps track of gastrointestinal activities and integrates them to connect gut health to higher cognitive parts of the brain. Disruption in this connection may facilitate various neurological and gastrointestinal problems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent reports suggest that persistent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and its recurrent reactivation could instigate the formation of proteinaceous plaques in the brain: a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Interestingly, a major genetic risk factor of AD, the apolipoprotein E (ApoE), could also influence the outcome of EBV infection in an individual. The ApoE is believed to influence the proteinaceous plaque clearance from the brain, and its defective functioning could result in the aggregate deposition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough primary infection of Epstein-Barr virus is generally non-lethal, viral reactivation is often associated with fatal outcomes. Regardless, there is no FDA-approved treatment available for this omnipresent viral infection. The current investigation targets viral maintenance and reactivation by inhibiting the functioning of viral deoxyuridine-triphosphatase (dUTPase) using phytochemicals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe brain microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in protecting the brain from hazardous pathogens. However, some viral pathogens can smartly modulate the endothelial pathways to gain entry inside the brain. Further, these viruses can cause endothelial dysfunction which could develop serious neurological ailments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDue to the emergence of drug-resistant microbial strains, different research groups are continuously developing novel drug molecules against already exploited and unexploited targets. 1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives exhibited noteworthy antimicrobial activities. The presence of 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety in antimicrobial agents can modify their polarity and flexibility, which significantly improves biological activities due to various bonded and non-bonded interactions viz.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe neurotropic potential of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was demonstrated quite recently; however, the mechanistic details are yet to be explored. Therefore, the effects of EBV infection in the neural milieu remain underexplored. Previous reports have suggested the potential role of virus-derived peptides in seeding the amyloid-β aggregation cascade, which lies at the center of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants are a valued potential source of drugs for a variety of diseases and are often considered less toxic to humans. We investigated antiviral compounds that may potentially target SARS-CoV-2 antigenic spike (S) and host proteins; angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2), and transmembrane serine protease2 (TMPRSS2). We scrutinized 36 phytochemicals from 15 Indian medicinal plants known to be effective against RNA viruses molecular docking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRaman spectroscopy can be used as a tool to study virus entry and pathogen-driven manipulation of the host efficiently. To date, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) entry and altered biochemistry of the glial cell upon infection are elusive. In this study, we detected biomolecular changes in human glial cells, namely, HMC-3 (microglia) and U-87 MG (astrocytes), at two variable cellular locations (nucleus and periphery) by Raman spectroscopy post-EBV infection at different time points.
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