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Nectin4 is an epithelial cell receptor for canine distemper virus and involved in neurovirulence

Watanyoo Pratakpiriya1, Fumio Seki, Noriyuki Otsuki

  • 1Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.

Journal of Virology
|July 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Canine distemper virus (CDV) primarily uses SLAM but can also infect epithelial and neural cells. Researchers found nectin4 acts as a key receptor for CDV in these cells, contributing to disease.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Canine distemper virus (CDV) infects immune cells via SLAM.
  • CDV also affects epithelial and neural cells, but the receptors involved are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of nectin4 as a receptor for CDV in non-immune cells.
  • To determine nectin4's involvement in CDV pathogenesis and neurovirulence.

Main Methods:

  • Vero cells expressing dog nectin4 were used to assess CDV replication.
  • An anti-nectin4 antibody was employed to block infection.
  • CDV antigen distribution was analyzed in nectin4-positive cells from infected dogs.

Main Results:

  • Wild-type CDV replicated efficiently in nectin4-expressing Vero cells, forming syncytia.
  • An anti-nectin4 antibody successfully blocked CDV infection in these cells.
  • CDV antigen was predominantly found in nectin4-positive neurons and epithelial cells of dogs with distemper.

Conclusions:

  • Nectin4 serves as an epithelial cell receptor for canine distemper virus.
  • Nectin4 plays a significant role in the neurovirulence of CDV.

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