Hydrogen sulfide in physiology and pathogenesis of bacteria and viruses

Abstract

An increasing number of studies have established hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas as a major cytoprotectant and redox modulator. Following its discovery, H2S has been found to have pleio-tropic effects on physiology and human health. H2S acts as a gasotransmitter and exerts its influence on gastrointestinal, neuronal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and hepatic systems. Recent discoveries have clearly indicated the importance of H2S in regulating vasorelaxation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, ageing, and metabolism. Contrary to studies in higher organisms, the role of H2S in the pathophysiology of infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses has been less studied. Bacterial and viral infections are often accompanied by changes in the redox physiology of both the host and the pathogen. Emerging studies indicate that bacterial-derived H2S constitutes a defense system against antibiotics and oxidative stress. The H2S signaling pathway also seems to interfere with redox-based events affected on infection with viruses. This review aims to summarize recent advances on the emerging role of H2S gas in the bacterial physiology and viral infections. Such studies have opened up new research avenues exploit-ing H2S as a potential therapeutic intervention.