Manipulation of host cell death pathways during microbial infections.

Viral and microbial infections often elicit programmed cell death as part of the host defense system or as a component of the survival strategy of the pathogen. It is thus not surprising that pathogens have evolved an array of toxins and virulence factors to modulate host cell death pathways. Apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis constitute the three major cell death modes for elimination of infected cells. Herein, we discuss the signaling pathways underlying the principal host cell death mechanisms and provide an overview of the strategies employed by viral and microbial pathogens to manipulate these cell death processes. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.