Related Experiment Videos

The epithelial integrin alphavbeta6 is a receptor for foot-and-mouth disease virus

T Jackson1, D Sheppard, M Denyer

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 ONF, United Kingdom. terry.jackson@bbsrc.ac.uk

Insights

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) uses integrin alphavbeta6 as a cellular receptor. This discovery in epithelial cells advances understanding of FMDV infection mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) utilizes RGD-dependent integrins for cellular entry.
  • Integrin alphavbeta3 is a known FMDV receptor on cultured cells.
  • Integrin alphavbeta6, expressed on epithelial cells, is a potential in vivo receptor due to viral tissue tropism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of integrin alphavbeta6 as a cellular receptor for FMDV.
  • To determine if alphavbeta6 expression can render nonpermissive cells susceptible to FMDV infection.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of FMDV binding and entry via alphavbeta6.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of SW480 cells with the integrin beta6 subunit to express alphavbeta6.
  • Assessing FMDV attachment, entry, and infection in beta6-transfected cells.
  • Utilizing a monoclonal antibody (10D5) against alphavbeta6 to inhibit virus binding and infection.

Main Results:

  • SW480 cells expressing alphavbeta6 became susceptible to FMDV infection.
  • Integrin alphavbeta6 was identified as the primary site for FMDV attachment and increased viral entry.
  • FMDV binding and infection were mediated by an RGD-dependent interaction specifically inhibited by anti-alphavbeta6 antibody.

Conclusions:

  • Integrin alphavbeta6 functions as a cellular receptor for FMDV.
  • Expression of alphavbeta6 confers susceptibility to FMDV infection in previously nonpermissive cells.
  • The RGD motif on FMDV interacts with alphavbeta6, mediating viral attachment and entry.

Related Concept Videos