Poliovirus permissivity and specific receptor expression on human endothelial cells

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Cell Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Poliomyelitis pathogenesis involves poliovirus infection.
• The role of endothelial cells (EC) in poliovirus infection is not fully understood.
• EC susceptibility to poliovirus may vary depending on their in vitro culture conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the susceptibility of endothelial cells (EC) to poliovirus infection.
• To determine the mechanism behind the development of EC permissivity for poliovirus in vitro.
• To analyze the expression of the poliovirus receptor on EC.

Main Methods:

• Endothelial cells (EC) were isolated from human umbilical veins and cultured in vitro.
• EC susceptibility to poliovirus infection was assessed at different culture times.
• Poliovirus receptor expression on EC was quantified using cytofluorometric analysis with a monoclonal antibody.

Main Results:

• Freshly isolated EC showed low susceptibility (6%) to poliovirus infection.
• EC permissivity increased progressively during the first 3 days of in vitro culture, reaching 80% by day 4.
• Increased poliovirus receptor expression on EC correlated with enhanced poliovirus binding capacity, while viral internalization efficiency remained constant.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial cell (EC) permissivity for poliovirus develops significantly during in vitro culture.
• The upregulation of poliovirus receptor expression is the primary mechanism driving increased EC susceptibility to poliovirus.
• These findings highlight the dynamic nature of ECs and their interaction with poliovirus in vitro.