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Influenza entry pathways in polarized MDCK cells
Yueting Zhang1, Gary R Whittaker1
1Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|June 1, 2014
Summary
Influenza virus enters polarized epithelial cells through a specific clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. This process requires the host cell protein Eps15 for efficient viral entry.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Influenza virus infects differentiated epithelia in vivo.
- In non-polarized cells, influenza virus uses multiple endocytic pathways for entry.
- The specific entry route in polarized epithelia remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influenza virus entry pathway in polarized epithelial cells.
- To determine the role of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in polarized influenza virus infection.
- To identify host cell factors required for influenza virus entry in polarized cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney type II (MDCK II) cells.
- Investigated influenza virus entry using techniques to assess endocytic pathways.
- Examined the requirement of Eps15 for viral entry.
Main Results:
- Influenza virus specifically utilizes clathrin-mediated endocytic pathways in polarized MDCK II cells.
- Eps15 protein is essential for influenza virus host cell entry in this model.
- Demonstrated a distinct entry mechanism compared to non-polarized cell models.
Conclusions:
- Influenza virus entry into polarized epithelia is dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
- Eps15 is a critical host factor for influenza virus infection in differentiated epithelial cells.
- Findings elucidate a specific viral entry mechanism relevant to in vivo influenza infection.
