mTORC2 confers neuroprotection and potentiates immunity during virus infection

Rahul K. Suryawanshi, Chandrashekhar D. Patil, Alex Agelidis, Raghuram Koganti, Joshua M. Ames, Lulia Koujah, Tejabhiram Yadavalli, Krishnaraju Madavaraju, Lisa M. Shantz, Deepak Shukla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) causes ocular and orofacial infections. In rare cases, HSV-1 can cause encephalitis, which leads to permanent brain injuries, memory loss or even death. Host factors protect humans from viral infections by activating the immune response. However, factors that confer neuroprotection during viral encephalitis are poorly understood. Here we show that mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is essential for the survival of experimental animals after ocular HSV-1 infection in vivo. We find the loss of mTORC2 causes systemic HSV-1 infection due to defective innate and adaptive immune responses, and increased ocular and neuronal cell death that turns lethal for the infected mice. Furthermore, we find that mTORC2 mediated cell survival channels through the inactivation of the proapoptotic factor FoxO3a. Our results demonstrate how mTORC2 potentiates host defenses against viral infections and implicate mTORC2 as a necessary factor for survival of the infected host.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number6020
JournalNature communications
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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