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In-cell infection: bringing uninvited guests.
Yongchan Lee1, Michael Overholtzer1
1Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Cell Research
|May 9, 2015
Summary
Cell-in-cell structures, previously obscure, now reveal a role in spreading Epstein-Barr virus. This "in-cell infection" mechanism may link B cells and epithelial cells, potentially predisposing to cancer.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cell-in-cell structures, formed by live cell engulfment, have been known for over a century.
- The physiological roles of these structures remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional significance of cell-in-cell structures.
- To identify novel roles of cell-in-cell formation in disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Observation and characterization of cell-in-cell structures in vitro.
- Analysis of viral spread between different cell types.
Main Results:
- A novel mechanism termed "in-cell infection" was identified, involving cell-in-cell structures.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) spreads from infected B cells to epithelial cells via this mechanism.
- This process may represent a new pathway for viral transmission and disease development.
Conclusions:
- Cell-in-cell structure formation has a significant physiological role in viral dissemination.
- "In-cell infection" is a newly discovered mode of Epstein-Barr virus spread.
- This mechanism may contribute to the oncogenesis associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.