Hepatitis E viral infection regulates estrogen signaling pathways: Inhibition of the cAMPK-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has become a global concern with high mortality rates among pregnant women, especially those in their third trimester of pregnancy. Estrogen plays an important role in mediating the body, regulating physiological and pathological processes. Estrogen is activated by binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) and mediates rapid signaling events by pathways that involve transmembrane ERs. Our previous study had confirmed that high estrogen levels during pregnancy are associated with high HEV titers. However, the association between HEV infection and estrogen signaling pathways remains unclear. In the present study, the regulation of estrogen signaling pathways by HEV infection was evaluated. Results demonstrated that HEV infection significantly inhibits the cAMP-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways, but is independent of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. In summary, the increasing estrogen levels and highly activated ER alpha during pregnancy aggravates HEV replication. The exacerbation of HEV replication, in turn, inhibits ER alpha expression and suppresses both cAMP-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways.

Automated summary

HEV infection significantly inhibits the cAMP-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways, but not the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway. Elevated estrogen levels and highly activated ER alpha during pregnancy exacerbate HEV replication. This exacerbation further inhibits ER alpha expression and suppresses cAMP-PKA-CREB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways.