Advances in Heat Shock Proteins in Viral Infection

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are molecular chaperones that were originally discovered based on their up-regulation in response to heat stress, playing a significant role in antigen presentation, protein folding and unfolding, intracellular tracking, and the maintenance of protein homeostasis. Over the years, it has been reported that Hsps play a dual role in viral infection. Some Hsps (Hsp27, Hsp40 and Hsp60) exhibit an antiviral effect by inhibiting viral replication through interaction and activating immune pathways to protect the host cell against viruses, such as rotavirus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and red spotted grouper neuro necrosis virus (RGNNV). Nevertheless, some HSPs (Hsp40, Hsp70 and Hsp90) could also be hijacked by viruses for uncoating, genome replication, gene expression, virion morphogenesis and immune escape, which promotes viral survival and replication in unfavorable conditions within the host cell, as seen in dengue virus (DENV), west Nile virus (WNV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A virus (IAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and others.

Infectious diseases caused by viral infections are a major threat to public health and global security. The special role of Hsps in viral infection implies the potential treatment strategies for viral infectious diseases. The main goal of the proposed research topic is to bring together the latest experimental and theoretical research focusing on the role of the heat shock protein family in various stages of viral infection and the potential uses of these proteins or related drug development in antiviral therapy.

We welcome submissions of all types of articles focusing on but not limited to the following subtopics:
1. The regulation of viral infection by Hsps and the molecular and cellular mechanisms
2. Novel therapeutic molecules targeting Hsps for the treatment of viral infections
3. Novel insights into the role of physical stress-induced Hsps in the outbreak and spread of infectious diseases
4. Innovative methods that might facilitate the investigation of Hsps in viral infections