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Implications of virus-induced stress granules in tauopathies
Snigdda Sharma, Alex Vandenakker, Claudia Mariana Cortes-Pérez, Sarah Milne, Renée N. Douville. Translational Neurodegeneration, 2026-02-12
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Tauopathies are characterized by aberrant tau structure and function, which is associated with neurodegenerative dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, and frontotemporal dementia, as well as the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Consistent association of these neurodegenerative conditions with viruses suggests an interplay between viral activity and the development of tauopathy. In this review, we explore how tau dysregulation may facilitate viral activity, and conversely, how viruses may drive tauopathy. We further discuss how stress granules (SGs) are a likely hub for the interactions between tau and viral components, leading to tau deregulation. Within the network of SG proteins analyzed, 15 proteins were identified to be both tau interactors and implicated in viral processes, having dual functionality. These SG proteins are further discussed in terms of their relationship with tauopathy, viral replication, and neurodegeneration. Concrete examples of synergistic and competing effects between tau and viruses are highlighted, revealing both pathological and protective mechanisms. This dichotomy underscores a complexity that is both disease- and virus-specific, within the context of SG biology and tau pathology. While the viral involvement in tauopathies could be considered detrimental, it may provide insights into antiviral therapeutics to target the accumulation and misfolding of tau in these neurodegenerative diseases.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Sharma, S., Vandenakker, A., Cortes-Pérez, C. M., Milne, S., & Douville, R. N. (2026). Implications of virus-induced stress granules in tauopathies. Translational Neurodegeneration. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-026-00538-4
Vancouver
Sharma S, Vandenakker A, Cortes-Pérez CM, Milne S, Douville RN. Implications of virus-induced stress granules in tauopathies. Translational Neurodegeneration. 2026. doi:10.1186/s40035-026-00538-4. PMID: 41673769.
BibTeX
@article{sharma2026-41673769,
author = {Sharma, Snigdda and Vandenakker, Alex and Cortes-Pérez, Claudia Mariana and Milne, Sarah and Douville, Renée N.},
title = {{Implications of virus-induced stress granules in tauopathies}},
journal = {Translational Neurodegeneration},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1186/s40035-026-00538-4},
pmid = {41673769},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-026-00538-4}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Tauopathies are characterized by aberrant tau structure and function, which is associated with neurodegenerative dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, and frontotemporal dementia, as well as the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Why it matters
This review explores how viruses and stress granules may interact with tau and contribute to tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease. It discusses possible insights for antiviral therapeutics but reports no treatment, cure or prevention.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 31/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Translational Neurodegeneration) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Translational Neurodegeneration: journal h-index 93 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 0 / 7 | Cited 0 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.0 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 0 / 6 | Cited 0.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Renée N. Douville: h-index 20 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | University of Manitoba: institution h-index 666 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41673769) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 31 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s40035-026-00538-4
- PubMed: 41673769
- Original source →
- Free full text: Translational Neurodegeneration →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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