Viral Components Trafficking with(in) Extracellular Vesicles

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Cell Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Viruses cause significant global health issues by manipulating host cells.
• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication, influencing cell physiology.
• Viruses can utilize EVs to transfer genetic material and proteins between cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a conceptual framework for all extracellular vesicle (EV)-virus associations.
• To elucidate the functional consequences of these associations on viral infection and propagation.
• To stimulate further research into the complex interplay between EVs and viruses.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on EV-virus interactions.
• Categorization of viral materials (virions, proteins, nucleic acids) found within EVs.
• Analysis of mechanisms for viral component internalization into EVs.
• Description of EV circulation, targeting, and cargo delivery to recipient cells.

Main Results:

• EVs can encapsulate entire virions, viral proteins, and viral nucleic acids.
• Multiple mechanisms facilitate the incorporation of viral components into EVs.
• EVs serve as vehicles for viral material transport, potentially altering recipient cell physiology.
• Identified pro-viral strategies include Trojan horse mechanisms, alternative transmission routes, expanded tropism, host cell pre-conditioning, and immune evasion.

Conclusions:

• EVs play a multifaceted role in viral infections, acting as vehicles for viral spread and manipulation of host cells.
• Understanding EV-virus interactions is crucial for developing novel antiviral strategies.
• This framework highlights key areas for future research in virology and cell biology.