Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Atomic force microscopic investigation of respiratory syncytial virus infection in HEp-2 cells
P M Tiwari1, E Eroglu, S Boyoglu-Barnum
1Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama 36101, U.S.A.
Insights
Atomic force microscopy revealed significant cytoplasmic and nuclear damage in human cells infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This study offers new insights into RSV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of infant respiratory illness.
- Current research lacks effective vaccines and therapeutics due to incomplete understanding of RSV-host interactions.
- Electron microscopy studies on RSV infection are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological impact of RSV infection on human epidermoid cell line type 2 using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- To elucidate the cellular changes during RSV infection for potential therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Human epidermoid cell line type 2 cells were infected with RSV.
- Cells were observed using atomic force microscopy at various time points post-infection.
- Morphological changes in cytoplasm and nucleus were analyzed.
Main Results:
- RSV infection led to loss of cell membrane integrity and cytoskeleton degeneration.
- Nuclear membrane disintegration, decreased nuclear volume, and chromatin condensation (pyknosis, apoptosis) were observed.
- Membrane protrusions, indicative of viral budding, were identified on infected cells.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to utilize AFM for visualizing RSV infection dynamics at the cellular level.
- AFM reveals critical morphological alterations during RSV infection, including nuclear and cytoplasmic degeneration.
- These findings provide a foundation for developing novel anti-RSV therapies by targeting observed viral-host interactions.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) primarily causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants. In spite of intense research, no safe and effective vaccine has been developed yet. For understanding its pathogenesis and development of anti-RSV drugs/therapeutics, it is indispensable to study the RSV-host interaction. Although, there are limited studies using electron microscopy to elucidate the infection process of RSV, to our knowledge, no study has reported the morphological impact of RSV infection using atomic force microscopy. We report the cytoplasmic and nuclear changes in human epidermoid cell line type 2 using atomic force microscopy. Human epidermoid cell line type 2 cells, grown on cover slips, were infected with RSV and fixed after various time periods, processed and observed for morphological changes using atomic force microscopy. RSV infected cells showed loss of membrane integrity, with degeneration in the cellular content and cytoskeleton. Nuclear membrane was disintegrated and nuclear volume was decreased. The chromatin of the RSV infected cells was condensed, progressing towards degeneration via pyknosis and apoptosis. Membrane protrusions of ~150-200 nm diameter were observed on RSV infected cells after 6 h, suggestive of prospective RSV budding sites. To our knowledge, this is the first study of RSV infection process using atomic force microscopy. Such morphological studies could help explore viral infection process aiding the development of anti-RSV therapies.
