Comparative studies on cytopathic effects induced by vesicular stomatitis virus in two cell types

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Cell Biology
• Microscopy

Background:

• Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection elicits distinct cellular responses in different cell lines.
• Mouse L cells exhibit extensive cell fusion upon VSV infection.
• Porcine kidney stable (PS) cells show only cell rounding when infected with VSV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comparatively investigate the morphological differences between VSV-infected L cells and PS cells.
• To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the differential cell fusion responses to VSV.

Main Methods:

• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology.
• Immunofluorescence microscopy for viral protein localization.

Main Results:

• VSV maturation occurred on intracytoplasmic vacuolar membranes in PS cells versus the plasma membrane in L cells.
• Viral glycoprotein was detected on the surface of infected PS cells.
• PS cells displayed earlier and more severe cell surface morphological changes compared to L cells.

Conclusions:

• The distinct VSV maturation sites and early, severe cell surface damage in PS cells likely inhibit cell fusion.
• PS cell surface membrane sensitivity to VSV-induced damage may prevent fusion, leading to cell rounding.