Abstract
Influenza A and influenza B viruses are continuing causes of morbidity and mortality on an annual basis. Influenza A viruses have historically caused periodic pandemics in the human population, sometimes with devastating consequences, such as in 1918. Fears of a new pandemic have increased in recent years because of continuing outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses in birds with occasional, but often lethal infection of humans. Despite their importance as human pathogens, the antiviral drugs approved to treat influenza virus infections are currently limited to two targets, the viral neuraminidase and the viral ion channel, M2. The use of the M2 inhibitors amantadine and rimantadine is further limited by the propensity of these drugs to select for drug resistant variants. However, the replication cycle of influenza viruses has been intensively studied and is receiving increased attention. New opportunities exist to develop novel antiviral strategies targeting these viruses.
Keywords: Amantadine, influenza virus, ion channel, neuraminidase, neuraminidase inhibitor, pandemic, pathogenesis, rimantadine
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Influenza Viruses: Basic Biology and Potential Drug Targets
Volume: 7 Issue: 4
Author(s): Christopher F. Basler
Affiliation:
Keywords: Amantadine, influenza virus, ion channel, neuraminidase, neuraminidase inhibitor, pandemic, pathogenesis, rimantadine
Abstract: Influenza A and influenza B viruses are continuing causes of morbidity and mortality on an annual basis. Influenza A viruses have historically caused periodic pandemics in the human population, sometimes with devastating consequences, such as in 1918. Fears of a new pandemic have increased in recent years because of continuing outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses in birds with occasional, but often lethal infection of humans. Despite their importance as human pathogens, the antiviral drugs approved to treat influenza virus infections are currently limited to two targets, the viral neuraminidase and the viral ion channel, M2. The use of the M2 inhibitors amantadine and rimantadine is further limited by the propensity of these drugs to select for drug resistant variants. However, the replication cycle of influenza viruses has been intensively studied and is receiving increased attention. New opportunities exist to develop novel antiviral strategies targeting these viruses.
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Cite this article as:
Basler F. Christopher, Influenza Viruses: Basic Biology and Potential Drug Targets, Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets 2007; 7 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152607783018745
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152607783018745 |
Print ISSN 1871-5265 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3989 |
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