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Entry pathway of vesicular stomatitis virus into different host cells
The Journal of General Virology
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) enters diverse host cells via endocytosis, a process dependent on endosomes and lysosomes. This viral entry mechanism was consistent across mammalian, avian, piscine, and arthropod cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a model virus for studying viral entry mechanisms.
- Understanding how VSV infects different host cells is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of VSV entry into various host cell types.
- To determine if VSV entry is conserved across phylogenetically unrelated species.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical assays using ammonium chloride and amantadine to block infection.
- Complement-dependent immune lysis to assess cell surface antigen expression.
- Electron microscopy to visualize virus-cell interactions and entry pathways.
Main Results:
- VSV infection was blocked by endosome/lysosome inhibitors, indicating a dependent entry step.
- Minimal VSV antigen insertion on the cell surface was observed.
- Electron microscopy confirmed VSV entry via endocytosis in coated pits and vesicles across all tested cell lines.
Conclusions:
- VSV utilizes a conserved endocytic pathway for entry into mammalian, avian, piscine, and arthropod cells.
- The entry mechanism involves endosomes and/or lysosomes and is independent of significant cell surface antigen display.