[Cellular tropism and adaptation of the measles virus]

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Measles virus (MV), a Morbillivirus, primarily infects immune cells.
• Clinical MV strains utilize signaling lymphocyte activating molecule (SLAM) as a receptor, explaining their lymphotropism.
• Laboratory strains of MV can adapt to use CD46 as an alternative receptor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the known cellular receptors used by Measles virus.
• To discuss the implications of receptor usage on MV tropism and cell culture adaptation.
• To explore emerging evidence for novel MV cellular receptors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on Measles virus receptor usage.
• Analysis of viral adaptation mechanisms in cell culture.
• Synthesis of data on SLAM and CD46 interactions with MV.

Main Results:

• SLAM is the primary receptor for wild-type MV, found on immune cells.
• CD46 serves as an alternative receptor for adapted MV strains, often due to hemagglutinin mutations.
• Recent findings indicate potential additional cellular receptors for MV beyond SLAM and CD46.

Conclusions:

• MV receptor usage is multifaceted, involving SLAM, CD46, and possibly other cellular factors.
• Understanding MV receptor tropism is crucial for studying viral pathogenesis and developing cell culture models.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the spectrum of MV cellular receptors and their roles.