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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
A Luciferase-fluorescent Reporter Influenza Virus for Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection
Published on: August 14, 2019
A plasmid-based reporter system for live cell imaging of dengue virus infected cells
Carey L Medin1, Sierra Valois1, Chinmay G Patkar2
1Institute for Immunology and Informatics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
Abstract:
Cell culture models are used widely to study the effects of dengue virus (DENV) on host cell function. Current methods of identification of cells infected with an unmodified DENV requires fixation and permeablization of cells to allow DENV-specific antibody staining. This method does not permit imaging of viable cells over time. In this report, a plasmid-based reporter was developed to allow non-destructive identification of DENV-infected cells. The plasmid-based reporter was demonstrated to be broadly applicable to the four DENV serotypes, including low-passaged strains, and was specifically cleaved by the viral protease with minimal interference on viral production. This study reveals the potential for this novel reporter system to advance the studies of virus-host interactions during DENV infection.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel reporter system for non-destructive identification of dengue virus (DENV)-infected cells. This breakthrough allows live cell imaging, advancing studies on virus-host interactions during DENV infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cell culture models are essential for studying dengue virus (DENV) effects on host cells.
- Current methods for identifying DENV-infected cells require cell fixation and permeabilization, preventing live-cell imaging.
- Existing techniques hinder longitudinal studies of DENV infection dynamics in viable cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, non-destructive reporter system for identifying DENV-infected cells.
- To enable live-cell imaging and longitudinal studies of DENV-host interactions.
- To create a tool broadly applicable across DENV serotypes.
Main Methods:
- Development of a plasmid-based reporter system.
- Demonstration of reporter cleavage by the DENV viral protease.
- Testing the reporter's efficacy across all four DENV serotypes, including low-passaged strains.
- Assessment of the reporter's impact on viral production.
Main Results:
- A plasmid-based reporter system was successfully developed for non-destructive identification of DENV-infected cells.
- The reporter system is broadly applicable to all four DENV serotypes.
- The reporter is specifically cleaved by the viral protease with minimal interference on viral production.
- The system allows for imaging of viable DENV-infected cells over time.
Conclusions:
- The novel reporter system enables non-destructive identification of DENV-infected cells, facilitating live-cell imaging.
- This tool advances the study of virus-host interactions during DENV infection.
- The reporter's broad applicability and minimal interference with viral production make it a valuable asset for DENV research.
