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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Intranasal Administration of Recombinant Influenza Vaccines in Chimeric Mouse Models to Study Mucosal Immunity
Published on: June 25, 2015
Entry of influenza virus into a glycosphingolipid-deficient mouse skin fibroblast cell line
S Ablan1, S S Rawat, R Blumenthal
1LECB, CCR, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA.
Abstract:
A glycosphingolipid (GSL)-deficient mouse skin fibroblast mutant cell line (GM95) was tested for its susceptibility to influenza virus infection and/or fusion. Octadecyl rhodamine labeled influenza virus fused at 37 degrees C and low pH with GM95 cells at similar rates and extents as with the parental cell lines which did bear glycosphingolipids. Influenza virus infected the GM95 cells at the same level as the parental cell lines. The infection and fusion was blocked when the cell lines were pre-treated with neuramindase. We conclude that influenza virus uses mainly sialoglycoproteins and that gangliosides are not essential for influenza virus fusion and infection.
Insights
Influenza virus infects and fuses with cells lacking glycosphingolipids (GSLs), indicating GSLs are not essential for these processes. Sialoglycoproteins, not gangliosides, are the primary targets for influenza virus entry.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are complex lipids found in cell membranes.
- Their role in viral entry and fusion is not fully understood.
- Influenza virus is a significant human pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GSLs in influenza virus infection and fusion.
- To determine if GSLs are essential for influenza virus-host cell interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a GSL-deficient mouse skin fibroblast mutant cell line (GM95).
- Assessed influenza virus fusion using octadecyl rhodamine labeled virus.
- Measured influenza virus infection levels.
- Investigated the effect of neuraminidase pre-treatment on infection and fusion.
Main Results:
- Influenza virus fused with GM95 cells similarly to parental cell lines.
- Influenza virus infected GM95 cells at comparable levels to parental cells.
- Neuraminidase pre-treatment blocked both infection and fusion.
Conclusions:
- Gangliosides, a type of GSL, are not essential for influenza virus fusion and infection.
- Influenza virus primarily utilizes sialoglycoproteins for cell entry and fusion.
