Rotavirus replication and the role of cellular lipid droplets: New therapeutic targets?

Rotaviruses (RVs) are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. These viruses infect the villous epithelium of the small intestine. Part of their replication occurs in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies termed viroplasms. Viroplasms and the lipid droplets (LDs) of cellular organelles are known to interact both physically and functionally. Compounds interfering with the homoeostasis of LDs significantly decrease the production of infectious RV progeny. There is considerable scope for more detailed exploration of such compounds as potential antiviral agents for a disease for which at present no specific therapy exists.