Grant: Project Grant

Myocarditis is a condition marked by inflammation of the heart muscle, often triggered by viral infections such as Enterovirus. This viral attack can damage and weaken the heart, potentially leading to heart failure. Viral myocarditis is a leading cause of sudden death in children and young adults globally, yet effective treatments remain elusive despite extensive research. Autophagy, a cellular process responsible for recycling damaged proteins and organelles, plays a critical role in controlling viral infections. However, emerging evidence suggests that Enteroviruses can exploit this pathway to their advantage, exacerbating heart damage. Our research has demonstrated that Enteroviral infection disrupts the normal autophagy process, leading to increased viral replication and release, while hindering the removal of harmful, clumping proteins and damaged organelles produced during infection. Additionally, we have found that some proteins responsible for autophagy are degraded following viral infection. Despite the recognized importance of autophagy in viral infections, the exact mechanisms by which Enteroviruses manipulate this process and the implications of subsequent protein breakdown are still poorly understood. Additionally, the potential of autophagy-based antiviral therapies for treating viral myocarditis remains unexplored. This project aims to elucidate how Enteroviruses interfere with autophagy and to develop innovative antiviral drugs targeting this disruption. By enhancing our understanding of viral replication mechanisms in the heart and the progression of viral myocarditis, we hope to identify new therapeutic strategies that could significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from viral myocarditis and heart failure.