Viral Receptors as Host-Pathogen Control Nodes Linking Entry, Signalling, and System-Level Pathogenesis.

Viral receptors function as dynamic regulatory hubs influencing entry, signalling, and systemic disease, with receptor landscapes shaping viral tropism and severity.

• Why it matters: Understanding receptor roles beyond mere viral docking is crucial for developing targeted therapies and biomarkers, addressing gaps in infection mechanisms and disease progression.
• What they did: The authors review receptor engagement processes, including intracellular routing and signalling, emphasizing the importance of receptor landscapes across tissues and their regulation by physiological factors.
• The result: This perspective enables better prediction of viral behaviour and disease outcomes, opening new avenues for host-targeted interventions, receptor decoys, and biomarker development.