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Published on: November 1, 2011
Adaptation of wild-type measles virus to tissue culture
Diane Waku Kouomou1, T Fabian Wild
1INSERM U 404, CERVI, 69365 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
Abstract:
Measles has a host range restricted to humans and monkeys in captivity. Fresh measles virus (MV) isolates replicate readily in several human and simian B-cell lines but need a period of adaptation to other types of cells. The identification of CD46 and CD150 (SLAM) as cellular receptors for MV has helped to clarify certain aspects of the immunobiology of MV infections. We have examined the properties of an MV wild-type strain grown in the epithelial cell line Vero. After adaptation, this virus expressed high levels of both the viral glycoproteins (hemagglutinin and fusion protein) but did not induce fusion (syncytia). No changes in the amino acid sequence were found in either of the viral glycoproteins. Using several approaches, the Vero-adapted virus could not be shown to interact with CD46 either in the initiation or during the course of infection. The presence of human SLAM expressed in the Vero cells rapidly gave rise to fusion and lower yields of infectious virus.
Insights
Measles virus (MV) adapted to Vero cells expressed viral glycoproteins but failed to bind CD46. Introducing human SLAM restored fusion, indicating SLAM
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Measles virus (MV) primarily infects humans and captive monkeys.
- Cellular receptors CD46 and CD150 (SLAM) are known entry points for MV.
- MV isolates require adaptation for efficient replication in non-B-cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the properties of a wild-type MV strain adapted to Vero epithelial cells.
- To determine the interaction of the adapted MV with cellular receptors CD46 and SLAM.
- To understand the role of viral glycoproteins in MV infection and cell fusion.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation of a wild-type MV strain to Vero cells.
- Analysis of viral glycoprotein expression (hemagglutinin and fusion protein) post-adaptation.
- Assessment of MV-induced cell fusion (syncytia formation).
- Investigation of MV interaction with CD46 and SLAM using various experimental approaches.
Main Results:
- Vero-adapted MV expressed high levels of hemagglutinin and fusion proteins but did not induce syncytia.
- No amino acid sequence changes were detected in the viral glycoproteins of the adapted strain.
- The Vero-adapted MV showed no interaction with CD46 during infection.
- Expression of human SLAM in Vero cells led to rapid syncytia formation and reduced infectious virus yield.
Conclusions:
- MV adaptation to Vero cells alters its interaction with cellular receptors.
- CD46 is not essential for the entry or infection of this Vero-adapted MV strain.
- SLAM plays a critical role in mediating MV-induced cell fusion and infectivity, even in the presence of viral glycoproteins.
