Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Measuring Attachment and Internalization of Influenza A Virus in A549 Cells by Flow Cytometry
Published on: November 4, 2015
Mechanisms of integrin-mediated virus attachment and internalization process
K Triantafilou1, Y Takada, M Triantafilou
1University of Portsmouth, School of Biological Sciences, United Kingdom. mtrian@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Viruses that propagate within vertebrate hosts have adapted many strategies to infect host cells. One of the first steps in a viral infection is the binding of the virus to cell surface molecules. This interaction between a virus and its receptors plays a key role in the multiplication cycle. Entry of viruses into cells is a complex, multistep process, and for several viruses, cell attachment and internalization are distinct steps. A number of virus receptors have been identified; a common family of viral receptors is the integrin family. Integrins are a widely expressed family of cell adhesion receptors, by which cells attach to extracellular matrices; they also mediate important cell-cell adhesion events. Integrins are involved in a number of tissue remodeling events, including embryogenesis, angiogenesis, wound repair, and bone resorption. In addition, several integrins are used by manyviruses in theirinfectious cycle. Virus-integrin interactions maybe more complex than previously thought because several viruses can interact with unique integrin regions or can activate distinct signaling pathways. This article will discuss the strategies devised by many viruses in their integrin-mediated attachment or cell entry.
Related Concept Videos
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Introduction to Virus

