Mecanismos virales de bloqueo de la apoptosis como estrategia de evasión de la respuesta inmunológica

In response to viral infections the host uses several immunological mechanisms to defend oneself. Apoptosis stand out by its protagonist role in the control of these infections like an effector mechanism of both innate and acquired immune response. However, some viruses block apoptosis with the purpose to avoid its elimination through the immune response. In this way, viruses has genes that code proteins with anti-apoptotic functions that modulate the expression or function of cellular proteins that regulate this process. In the innate apoptosis the blockade occurs at three inhibition or inactivation levels like mitochondrial membrane alteration, PKR and p53; while the blockade of apoptosis in the acquired immune response occurs by: inhibition of granzyme B, inhibition of interaction of CD95-FasL, inhibition of DISC formation and inhibition of caspases. The knowledge of cellular mechanisms of apoptosis induction during viral infections and mainly the strategies of blockade of this process by viruses is fundamental in the design of therapies for control and eradication of this kind of infections.