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Published on: October 26, 2018
Adenovirus interactions with CD46 on transgenic mouse erythrocytes
Emma K Andersson1, Ya-Fang Mei, Göran Wadell
1Division of Virology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine in Sweden, UCMR, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden. emma.andersson@climi.umu.se
Abstract:
Hemagglutination is an established method but has not been used previously to determine the efficacy of virus binding to a specific cellular receptor. Here we have utilized CD46-expressing erythrocytes from a transgenic mouse to establish whether and to what extent the species B adenoviruses (Ads) as well as Ad37 and Ad49 of species D can interact with CD46. A number of different agglutination patterns, and hence CD46 interactions, could be observed for the different adenovirus types. In this system Ad7p, Ad11a, and Ad14 did not agglutinate mouse erythrocytes at all. Hemagglutination of CD46 expressing erythrocytes with high efficiency was observed for the previously established CD46 users Ad11p and Ad35 as well as for the less investigated Ad34. Ad50 agglutinated with moderate efficiency. Ad16, Ad21 and Ad49 gave incomplete agglutination. Ad16 was the only adenovirus that could be eluted. No specific CD46 interaction could be observed for Ad3p or for Ad37.
Insights
This study used mouse red blood cells expressing CD46 to test adenovirus binding. Different adenovirus types showed varying abilities to bind CD46, revealing new insights into virus-receptor interactions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Hemagglutination is a standard technique for studying virus-erythrocyte interactions.
- Its application in assessing virus binding to specific cellular receptors, like CD46, remains underexplored.
- Adenoviruses (Ads) are a significant group of viruses with diverse cellular targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction of various adenovirus species (B and D) with the CD46 receptor.
- To establish a novel hemagglutination assay using CD46-expressing erythrocytes for quantifying adenovirus-CD46 binding efficacy.
- To determine the extent of CD46 engagement by specific adenovirus serotypes.
Main Methods:
- Generation of transgenic mice expressing human CD46 on erythrocytes.
- Performance of hemagglutination assays with a panel of human adenovirus serotypes (species B and D).
- Observation and categorization of agglutination patterns to infer CD46 interaction strength.
Main Results:
- Adenovirus types Ad7p, Ad11a, and Ad14 showed no agglutination, indicating no CD46 interaction.
- High-efficiency hemagglutination was observed for Ad11p, Ad35, and Ad34, confirming strong CD46 binding.
- Moderate agglutination occurred with Ad50, and incomplete agglutination with Ad16, Ad21, and Ad49. Ad16 was the only type that could be eluted.
- No specific CD46 interaction was detected for Ad3p or Ad37.
Conclusions:
- The developed hemagglutination assay effectively differentiates adenovirus binding affinities to CD46.
- Specific adenovirus serotypes exhibit distinct interaction patterns with the CD46 receptor.
- This method provides a valuable tool for characterizing adenovirus tropism and CD46-mediated infections.

