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Morphogenesis of Coronavirus HCoV-NL63 in Cell Culture: A Transmission Electron Microscopic Study

Jan M Orenstein1, Bridget Banach, Susan C Baker

  • 1Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine, 2300 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, USA.

The Open Infectious Diseases Journal
|October 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) causes respiratory illness in children. Transmission electron microscopy revealed key morphologic characteristics of HCoV-NL63 replication and release in infected human airway cells.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) is a significant cause of respiratory disease in infants and young children.
  • Understanding the morphology of HCoV-NL63 infection is crucial for developing effective antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the key morphologic characteristics of HCoV-NL63 infection in human cells using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Main Methods:

  • Infection of LLCMK2 cells and human airway epithelial cell cultures with HCoV-NL63.
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to visualize viral ultrastructure and intracellular events.
  • Analysis of virion morphology, replication sites, assembly, and release mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • HCoV-NL63 virions are spherical, spiked, and 75-115 nm in diameter.
  • Virus replication primarily occurs in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi apparatus.
  • Aberrant viral forms, unusual inclusions (tubular, laminated), and pleomorphic double membrane-bound vesicles (DMVs) were observed. Virus release occurs via exocytosis and cell lysis.

Conclusions:

  • TEM analysis provides critical insights into the morphologic features of HCoV-NL63 infection.
  • The observed characteristics, including replication sites and aberrant forms, contribute to understanding HCoV-NL63 pathogenesis.

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