Host cell surface receptors and general host cellular machinery

Host cell surface receptors and general host cellular machinery refers to the collective biological components of a host organism that are utilized by pathogens for infection or targeted by drugs to modulate physiological processes (Kaufmann et al., 2018, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). This broad category includes cell surface proteins like ACE2 and CCR5, which act as entry points for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, respectively (Hoffmann et al., 2020, Cell; NIH, 2023). It also encompasses internal cellular systems, such as the ribosomes, proteasomes, and signaling pathways like the JAK-STAT cascade, which are essential for cellular homeostasis and pathogen replication (StatPearls, 2023). Host-directed therapies (HDTs) aim to target these components to treat infections, cancers, and inflammatory disorders, often providing a higher barrier to the development of drug resistance compared to pathogen-targeted agents (Zumla et al., 2016, The Lancet Infectious Diseases). However, because these targets are fundamental to normal host biology, pharmacological intervention often faces challenges related to systemic toxicity and a narrow therapeutic window (Nature, 2021). As such, this term represents a functional grouping of diverse molecular entities rather than a single, specific therapeutic target.

Other names

Host factorsHost cell componentsHost-directed therapy targetsHost cellular machinery

Inhibition of viral entry, modulation of host immune response, and interference with intracellular trafficking or replication pathways.