Insane in the Membrane: Glial Extracellular Vesicles Transmit Polyomaviruses
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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
Evaluation of the Storage Stability of Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: May 22, 2019
Marianita Santiana1, Nihal Altan-Bonnet2
1Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Dynamics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are major vehicles for transporting viruses en bloc among hosts. While RNA viruses make up the great majority of transmission by EVs, in a recent article in mBio (mBio 10:e00379-19, 2019, https://mbio.asm.org/content/10/2/e00379-19.long), Morris-Love and colleagues revealed that a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus, JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), a major cause of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), can be released from and transmitted to other glia in EVs. This mode of transmission appears to be highly infectious, independent of the free virus attachment and entry receptors LSTc and 5-HT2, and protected from neutralizing antibodies. This novel form of JCPyV transmission may potentially explain its dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) and its increased virulence.
Insights
JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), a DNA virus, uses extracellular vesicles (EVs) for transmission between cells. This EV-mediated spread is highly infectious and bypasses antibody defenses, potentially explaining JCPyV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are recognized vehicles for intercellular communication and pathogen transport.
- RNA viruses are predominantly transmitted via EVs, but DNA virus transmission through EVs is less understood.
- JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severe neurological disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the transmission of the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus, JC polyomavirus (JCPyV).
- To determine if JCPyV can be released from and transmitted to glial cells via EVs.
- To assess the infectiousness and characteristics of EV-mediated JCPyV transmission.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cell culture models to study JCPyV release and uptake.
- Employed techniques to isolate and characterize EVs containing JCPyV.
- Assessed the infectivity of JCPyV transmitted through EVs.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), a dsDNA virus, is released from and transmitted to glial cells via extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- EV-mediated JCPyV transmission is highly infectious and independent of known viral receptors (LSTc and 5-HT2).
- JCPyV within EVs is protected from neutralizing antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a novel and significant route for JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) transmission.
- EV-mediated spread may explain JCPyV's dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) and its virulence.
- This discovery opens new avenues for understanding and potentially targeting JCPyV pathogenesis.
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