Influenza virus infection is a serious cause of mortality, and seasonal epidemics occur due to viral antigenic shift. The incomplete protection offered by current vaccines emphasises the need for more effective strategies.
Eukaryotic cells degrade intracellular material in the proteasome and through autophagy. Autophagy entails the engulfment of cytosolic material such as proteins and entire organelles in double-membrane vesicles, which finally fuse with lysosomes. It is central for providing energy to cells under starvation, while emerging evidence also demonstrate a role in immunity.
Further details: Influenza targets autophagy for immune evasion