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[In vitro fusion ability of agents causing slow diseases of the central nervous system]
Comptes Rendus Des Seances De La Societe De Biologie Et De Ses Filiales
|January 1, 1979
Abstract:
The authors study cell fusion in vitro induced by two kinds of slow viruses : visna virus of sheep and scrapie of mouse and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of man agents. Cell-fusion induced by visna virus is either slow and late occuring (fusion from within) or early and rapid (fusion from without) according to experimental conditions. Whereas, cell-fusion induced by spongiform encephalopathies agents is only of slow appearance, looking an endogenous phenomenon.
Insights
Visna virus causes rapid or slow cell fusion, while spongiform encephalopathy agents induce slow cell fusion, mimicking an endogenous process.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Investigating slow viruses and their impact on cellular mechanisms.
- Examining the distinct cell fusion patterns induced by different viral agents.
- Understanding the pathogenesis of spongiform encephalopathies.
Purpose:
- To compare and contrast in vitro cell fusion induced by visna virus and spongiform encephalopathy agents.
- To characterize the kinetics and mechanisms of virus-induced cell fusion.
- To differentiate between exogenous and endogenous-like cell fusion phenomena.
Summary:
- Visna virus induces cell fusion either rapidly ('fusion from without') or slowly ('fusion from within') depending on experimental conditions.
- Agents of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and scrapie (spongiform encephalopathies) induce only slow cell fusion.
- The slow cell fusion induced by spongiform encephalopathy agents resembles an endogenous cellular process.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the distinct mechanisms of viral pathogenesis.
- Helps differentiate between viral and endogenous cellular events.
- Contributes to understanding the cellular basis of slow virus infections and neurodegenerative diseases.