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Poliovirus replication and spread in primary neuron cultures.
John K Daley1, Lisa A Gechman, Jason Skipworth
1Fox Chase Cancer Center, Institute for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
Virology
|July 13, 2005
Summary
Poliovirus (PV) infection in neurons shows slower replication and spread compared to non-neuronal cells. This cell-specific effect on poliovirus replication may influence the development of central nervous system (CNS) disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Virology
Background:
- Neurotropic viruses can cause rapid or persistent central nervous system (CNS) disease.
- Poliovirus (PV), a lytic RNA virus, requires poliovirus receptor (PVR, CD155) for infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the kinetics of poliovirus infection in neuronal and non-neuronal cells.
- To investigate cell-specific differences in viral replication, spread, and cytolysis.
Main Methods:
- Primary hippocampal neurons and fibroblasts were isolated from CD155+ transgenic embryos.
- Cultures were infected with Mahoney and Sabin strains of poliovirus (PV).
- Infection levels, infectious particle production, and cell death were monitored.
Main Results:
- PV-infected neurons produced 100-fold fewer infectious particles than fibroblasts.
- Neuronal death was delayed by approximately 48 hours compared to fibroblasts.
- Viral spread in neurons occurred via CD155-dependent trans-synaptic transmission.
Conclusions:
- Neuronal infection with PV exhibits decreased replication and spread kinetics compared to non-neuronal cells.
- Cell-specific effects on viral replication in neurons may influence poliovirus pathogenesis in the CNS.