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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating Viral Disruption of Intestinal Epithelial Signaling – Research Insights and Future Directions
Published on: January 19, 2024
Rhesus rotavirus VP6 regulates ERK-dependent calcium influx in cholangiocytes
Inna Lobeck1, Bryan Donnelly1, Phylicia Dupree1
1Department of Pediatric and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Abstract:
The Rhesus rotavirus (RRV) induced murine model of biliary atresia (BA) is a useful tool in studying the pathogenesis of this neonatal biliary obstructive disease. In this model, the mitogen associated protein kinase pathway is involved in RRV infection of biliary epithelial cells (cholangiocytes). We hypothesized that extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation is integral to calcium influx, allowing for viral replication within the cholangiocyte. Utilizing ERK and calcium inhibitors in immortalized cholangiocytes and BALB/c pups, we determined that ERK inhibition resulted in reduced viral yield and subsequent decreased symptomatology in mice. In vitro, the RRV VP6 protein induced ERK phosphorylation, leading to cellular calcium influx. Pre-treatment with an ERK inhibitor or Verapamil resulted in lower viral yields. We conclude that the pathogenesis of RRV-induced murine BA is dependent on the VP6 protein causing ERK phosphorylation and triggering calcium influx allowing replication in cholangiocytes.
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