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Use of chemokine receptors by poxviruses

A S Lalani1, J Masters, W Zeng

  • 1The John P. Robarts Research Institute and Department of Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 2V4, Canada.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 3, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Myxoma virus, a poxvirus, uses chemokine receptors like CCR5 for cell entry, similar to HIV. However, its infection mechanism differs, offering new insights into viral tropism and host-pathogen interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Chemokine receptors are known entry points for intracellular pathogens like HIV.
  • The receptor for myxoma virus, a poxvirus causing disease in rabbits, has not been identified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether chemokine receptors mediate myxoma virus entry into cells.
  • To compare the viral entry mechanisms of poxviruses and HIV.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of rodent fibroblasts (3T3) with human chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR5, CXCR4).
  • Assessing myxoma virus infectivity in engineered 3T3 cells.
  • Inhibiting infection using specific receptor antagonists and antibodies.

Main Results:

  • Expression of CCR1, CCR5, or CXCR4 rendered 3T3 cells permissive to myxoma virus infection.
  • Myxoma virus infection of 3T3-CCR5 cells was inhibited by RANTES and anti-CCR5 antibodies.
  • Inhibitors blocking HIV-1 entry did not affect myxoma virus infection.

Conclusions:

  • Poxviruses, like HIV, can utilize chemokine receptors for cell entry.
  • Myxoma virus employs distinct receptor interaction mechanisms compared to HIV.
  • Chemokine receptors may facilitate poxvirus infection of specific cell types, such as migratory leukocytes.

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