Related Experiment Videos
Nuclear proliferation in syncytia during avian reovirus replication
Y Tsukamoto1, T Kotani, K Kohama
1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Agriculture, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan. ytsuka@jyui.vet.osakafu-u.ac.jp
Summary
Avian reovirus (ARV) infection causes cultured chick cells to form syncytia. Nuclei within these syncytia showed DNA replication, suggesting cell fusion and nuclear endomitosis without cell division contribute to syncytia formation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Avian reoviruses (ARV) are significant pathogens in poultry.
- Viral infections can induce significant alterations in host cell morphology and cell cycle progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying syncytia formation induced by avian reovirus (ARV) strain 58-132 in cultured chick embryonic fibroblasts.
- To determine the cell cycle status of nuclei within ARV-induced syncytia.
Main Methods:
- Infection of cultured chick embryonic fibroblasts with ARV strain 58-132.
- Microscopic observation of syncytia formation.
- Incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to assess DNA replication and S-phase progression.
Main Results:
- ARV infection led to the formation of syncytia in cultured chick embryonic fibroblasts.
- Mitotic figures were observed within the syncytia.
- A significant number of nuclei within the syncytia incorporated BrdU, indicating active DNA replication (S-phase).
Conclusions:
- ARV-induced syncytia formation involves nuclear endomitosis without cell division.
- Cell fusion is also a contributing mechanism to the observed syncytia.
- These findings provide insights into the replication strategy and cytopathic effects of avian reoviruses.