Longevity & AgingHSV-1 Hijacks Mitophagy Pathway to Drive Brain Inflammation — Taurine Fights Back
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) partly by blocking the cell's mitochondrial cleanup system (mitophagy). Researchers found HSV-1 proteins ICP34.5 and US11 disrupt the EIF2S1-ATF4 signaling axis, suppressing expression of the key mitophagy gene PRKN/Parkin. This allows damaged mitochondria to accumulate, fueling NF-κB-driven neuroinflammation. Restoring mitophagy—through PRKN overexpression, chemical agonists, or taurine (a gut microbial metabolite)—reduced viral replication and brain inflammation in cell and mouse models, suggesting mitophagy activation as a promising antiviral strategy for HSV-1-related neurological disease.
