The Bioinformatics Unit of the Zanos Lab is proud to announce our latest publication, “From Viral Infections to Alzheimer’s Disease: Unveiling the Mechanistic Links Through Systems Bioinformatics,” which explores the complex relationship between viral infections and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Dr. Anna Onisiforou utilized advanced systems bioinformatics techniques to investigate how various viruses, including herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, might contribute to AD onset or progression.

Our study revealed that these viruses can impact AD-related processes through their interactions with host proteins. Herpesviruses were found to influence critical AD processes such as amyloid-β formation and neuronal death, while hepatitis viruses affected cellular homeostasis and microglia activation. Notably, we discovered that the reactivation of certain herpesviruses during SARS-CoV-2 infection could potentially enhance neurodegeneration through synergistic effects on various cellular processes.

This research highlights the intricate connections between viral infections and AD development, suggesting that different viruses may influence AD susceptibility through both shared and distinct mechanisms. Our findings open up new avenues for understanding Alzheimer’s disease and could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting viral factors that contribute to disease progression.

The full paper is available in the following link:
https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/230/Supplement_2/S128/7754707