Integrin-Linked Kinase Plays a Key Role in Coxsackievirus Replication

Abstract

See related article, pages 354–361 Viral infection may be a major cause of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, but little is known about how viruses enter the cardiac myocyte and damage it. Understanding the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis will lead to new strategies for the treatment and prevention of heart failure. In this issue of Circulation Research , Esfandiareiet al show that the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in the lifecycle of the cardiotropic virus Coxsackievirus.1 More than 100 000 patients in the United States have a nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and this disease accounts for 45% of all heart transplants.2,3 More than 25% of the nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy cases may be caused by viral infections.4 The virus that most commonly infects the heart is Coxsackievirus, a small RNA virus (picornavirus) spread through the fecal–oral route.5 Coxsackievirus infection causes a viral prodrome of fever and myalgias, followed by diarrhea. Approximately 2 weeks after the onset of infection, direct viral injury of cardiac myocytes in combination …