Activation of PI3K/Akt pathway limits JNK-mediated apoptosis during EV71 infection.

•Activation of PI3K/Akt pathway suppresses EV71-induced JNK activation.•Activation of PI3K/Akt pathway suppresses JNK-mediated apoptosis during EV71 infection.•PI3K/Akt pathway limits EV71-induced JNK activation by promoting ASK1 phosphorylation.•This is the first study of cross talk between the PI3K/Akt and JNK pathways during EV71 infection.