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Nipah Virus Efficiently Replicates in Human Smooth Muscle Cells without Cytopathic Effect.
Blair L DeBuysscher1,2, Dana P Scott3, Rebecca Rosenke3
1Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
Cells
|June 2, 2021
Summary
Nipah virus (NiV) infects human smooth muscle cells (SMCs), producing high virus levels without causing cell damage. This suggests SMCs may contribute to NiV disease by acting as reservoirs for virus production.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pathogenesis
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nipah virus (NiV) is a dangerous zoonotic virus causing severe respiratory and neurological disease in humans.
- NiV outbreaks occur annually, with high mortality rates, but pathogenesis remains unclear.
- Vascular endothelial cells are known NiV targets, leading to vasculitis and cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to NiV infection.
- To determine if NiV infection causes cytopathogenic effects in SMCs.
- To understand the potential role of SMCs in NiV disease development.
Main Methods:
- In vitro infection of human SMCs with NiV.
- Quantification of NiV titers and production over time.
- Assessment of cytopathogenicity and ephrin-B2/3 ligand expression in infected SMCs.
Main Results:
- Human SMCs are permissive to NiV infection.
- Infected SMCs produced high NiV titers for prolonged periods.
- NiV infection did not cause significant cytopathic effects or cell death in SMCs.
- SMCs supported NiV infection despite lacking detectable ephrin-B2/3.
Conclusions:
- Human SMCs can be productively infected by NiV.
- SMCs may serve as a reservoir for NiV replication and dissemination due to their permissiveness and lack of cytopathogenicity.
- These findings highlight a novel mechanism for NiV pathogenesis involving smooth muscle cells.
