Polarized entry of canine parvovirus in an epithelial cell line

The binding and uptake of canine parvovirus (CPV) in polarized epithelial cells were investigated by growing the cells on a permeable support and inoculating with the virus either from the apical or basolateral surface. Binding of radiolabeled CPV occurred preferentially on the basolateral surface. In contrast, when a similar experiment was carried out on nonpolarized A72 cells, virus binding occurred regardless of the direction of virus input. Binding appeared to be specific for CPV and could not be competitively inhibited by either bovine or porcine parvovirus. Analysis of the binding data revealed a high-affinity receptor (10(5) per cell) for CPV on the basolateral surfaces of MDCK cells (Kd, 29 pM). In indirect immunofluorescence studies, virus entered only from the basolateral surfaces of MDCK cells. These results provide evidence for a functional CPV-specific receptor that is expressed only on the basolateral surfaces of polarized epithelial cells, a result that has interesting consequences for viral pathogenesis.