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Cellular processes essential for African swine fever virus to infect and replicate in primary macrophages

Sameh Basta1, Heidi Gerber, Alexander Schaub

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. bastas@queensu.ca

Veterinary Microbiology
|July 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infects macrophages through multiple entry routes, not just receptor-mediated endocytosis. The virus utilizes specific cellular processes for replication, avoiding lysosomal degradation while depending on certain lysosomal functions.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Macrophages (Mø) are crucial innate immune cells targeted by African swine fever virus (ASFV).
  • Previous ASFV infection studies focused on non-leukocyte cells like Vero cells.
  • Understanding ASFV's interaction with primary macrophages is essential for controlling swine fever.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize key parameters of ASFV infection in primary macrophages.
  • To elucidate the entry mechanisms and intracellular processing of ASFV in Mø.
  • To identify cellular processes vital for ASFV replication within macrophages.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated ASFV entry into primary macrophages, assessing receptor-mediated endocytosis and alternative pathways.
  • Analyzed the roles of divalent cations, microtubule assembly, and actin-dependent processes in viral entry and trafficking.
  • Examined ASFV's interaction with lysosomes and autophagosomes, evaluating the impact of specific inhibitors on viral replication.

Main Results:

  • ASFV entry into macrophages is not solely receptor-mediated endocytosis; phagocytosis is also implicated.
  • Divalent cations and microtubule assembly are critical for ASFV endocytic and endosomal processing.
  • ASFV circumvents mature lysosome degradation but requires specific propylamine-sensitive lysosomal functions for replication.

Conclusions:

  • ASFV employs diverse cellular mechanisms for entry and replication in macrophages.
  • The virus strategically manipulates host cell machinery, including endocytic pathways and lysosomal functions.
  • These findings enhance understanding of viral pathogenesis in immune scavenger cells, aiding in disease control strategies.

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