Abstract :
In virology, many pathogenic viruses can induce DNA damage and can cause mutagenesis. Here, the author would like to discuss on swine flu virus, a novel H1N1 influenza virus that causes worldwide emerging viral infection at present.1 As a viral infection, the induction of DNA damage might be expected in the case of swine flu. Indeed, several viruses can cause DNA damage and this might lead to cell death or cellular abnormalities. In the case of classical H1N1 influenza virus, there are some publications on its induction of DNA damage. Similar to other viral infections, the DNA damage in influenza infection is believed to be due to free radical species and nitric oxide (NO) or its derivatives.2 The DNA damage due to influenza virus infection is believed to relate to apoptosis. However, the exact cellular pathways involved in influenza virus induced apoptosis are presently ill defined. Uchide et al. reported that typical apoptosis induced by influenza virus could be observed in human cell culture and was characterized by DNA ladder formation.3 In addition, fragmentation of nuclei and chromatin condensation can be observed.4 Recently, it was reported that this DNA ladder formation could be reduced by supplementation of antioxidative substances.5 DNA damage and apoptosis caused by influenza virus seems to be controlled by the antioxidative system.
