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SARS coronavirus induces apoptosis in Vero E6 cells
Huimin Yan1, Gengfu Xiao, Jiamin Zhang
1School of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Journal of Medical Virology
|June 2, 2004
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in Vero E6 cells, not necrosis. This finding helps explain SARS-CoV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
- The precise mechanism of SARS-CoV-induced respiratory system damage remains unclear, with infection-induced apoptosis or necrosis being suspected but unproven.
- Vero E6 cells are the established in vitro model for SARS-CoV replication, exhibiting cytopathic effects (CPE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether SARS-CoV infection induces apoptosis or necrosis in Vero E6 cells.
- To elucidate the cellular mechanism underlying SARS-CoV-induced CPE.
- To explore the implications of these findings for SARS-CoV pathogenicity in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Infection of Vero E6 cells with SARS-CoV.
- Microscopic examination for cytopathic effects (CPE).
- Assessment of cellular damage indicators, including DNA fragmentation, apoptotic bodies, and mitochondrial morphology.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV infection demonstrably induced CPE in Vero E6 cells.
- Evidence of typical DNA fragmentation and the presence of apoptotic bodies confirmed apoptosis.
- Swollen mitochondria were observed, further supporting an apoptotic cell death pathway.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV infection triggers apoptosis rather than necrosis in cultured Vero E6 cells.
- Apoptosis is the likely mechanism responsible for SARS-CoV-induced CPE in vitro.
- This apoptotic effect in cell cultures may contribute to the severe respiratory damage observed in vivo during SARS-CoV infection.