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Cholesterol depletion affects infectivity and stability of pseudorabies virus

Ann S Desplanques1, Maria Pontes, Natasha De Corte

  • 1Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.

Virus Research
|July 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Statins reduce cholesterol, which is vital for pseudorabies virus (PRV) infectivity and stability. Lowering cholesterol in host cells or viral envelopes decreases PRV titers, while adding cholesterol restores them.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Statins are drugs that inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis.
  • Alphaherpesviruses, like pseudorabies virus (PRV), are significant pathogens.
  • The role of cholesterol in viral stability and infectivity is an area of ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cholesterol depletion on pseudorabies virus (PRV) infectivity and stability.
  • To determine if statin treatment affects PRV titers.
  • To elucidate the role of cholesterol in the alphaherpesvirus life cycle.

Main Methods:

  • SK cells were treated with lovastatin (a statin) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin to deplete cholesterol.
  • Cells were infected with PRV, and viral structural protein production and virus titers were assessed.
  • Exogenous cholesterol was added to evaluate its effect on virus titers.
  • Infectivity and stability of PRV were assessed after cholesterol depletion and replenishment.

Main Results:

  • Statin treatment and cholesterol depletion reduced PRV titers without affecting viral protein production.
  • Reduced cholesterol levels decreased both the infectivity and stability of newly produced PRV.
  • Addition of exogenous cholesterol restored virus titers in cholesterol-depleted conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Cholesterol is crucial for the infectivity and stability of infectious alphaherpesvirus.
  • Statin treatment of host cells can reduce alphaherpesvirus titers by impacting cholesterol levels.
  • This study highlights cholesterol as a key factor in PRV infectivity and stability, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.

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