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Sahu et al. Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 2018;5:2 Neuroimmunology
DOI: 10.20517/2347-8659.2017.43 and Neuroinflammation

Review Open Access

Interactions between neurotropic pathogens,
neuroinflammatory pathways, and autophagic neural

cell death

Priyadarshi Soumyaranjan Sahu , Eunice Ter 1,2
1
1 School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2 University of Edinburgh Medical School, 47/49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB/EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.

Correspondence to: Dr. Priyadarshi Soumyaranjan Sahu, Division of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical
University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: priyadarshi_sahu@yahoo.com

How to cite this article: Sahu PS, Ter E. Interactions between neurotropic pathogens, neuroinflammatory pathways, and autophagic
neural cell death. Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 2018;5:2. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-8659.2017.43
Received: 21 Aug 2017 First Decision: 23 Aug 2017 Revised: 30 Nov 2017 Accepted: 18 Dec 2017 Published: 17 Jan 2018

Science Editor: Athanassios P. Kyritsis Copy Editor: Lu Liu Production Editor: Cai-Hong Wang

Abstract

In recent times, there has been a significant increase in studies focusing on immunological functions of autophagy,
however, knowledge of its roles and regulations in the central nervous system remains unclear. Present reviews
highlight the molecular cross talk between host cell autophagy with inflammatory pathways in the context of
neuro-infections. Intracellular pathogens might have an ability to manipulate the autophagy regulation process. An
augmented autophagy and inflammation at the site of infection is traditionally considered host protective. Moreover,
host cell autophagy might also facilitate pathogen survivability and multiplication in the brain environment.
Consequently, an excessive autophagy and neuroinflammatory process do put surrounding healthy brain tissue
at risk of pathogen invasion. The question arises, whether there are any known direct interactions of intracellular
neurotropic pathogens with this degradative pathway that favour intracerebral pathogen survival and growth? It
is worth exploring any such cooperation between pathogen factors and altered immune pathways that modulate
autophagy regulatory genes causing massive neuronal damage. A detailed understanding of molecular mechanisms
in microbial pathogenesis, neuroinflammatory and neuronal autophagy pathways might identify novel therapeutic
targets and diagnostic biomarkers.

Keywords: Central nervous system infection, neurotropic pathogens, neuroinflammation, autophagy

INTRODUCTION
Neurotropism of certain microbial pathogens could lead to neurological health problems in humans. It is
suggested that chronic infections in the central nervous system (CNS) might be associated with progressive

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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