Analysis of Adherence Junctions in Rhinovirus-Infected Airway Epithelial Cells

The airway mucosal epithelium is the main gateway of entry for numerous human respiratory viruses, including human influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronavirus, and rhinoviruses (RV). For respiratory viruses to perpetuate infection, they must be able to traverse the airway mucosal epithelium and then spread into distal sites of the respiratory tract and lung parenchyma. However, this cellular interface has evolved well-developed apical junctional complexes (AJCs), including tight and adherens junctions, that bridge adjacent epithelial cells together. The resulting structure not only provides a strong physical barrier but also plays an active role in preventing and/or limiting the spread and dissemination of viral pathogens. Respiratory viruses, such as RVs, have been shown to target various components of these AJCs, either directly or indirectly, thus facilitating paracellular viral penetration, resulting in airway epithelial barrier dysfunction. Disruption of these AJCs may also result in unintended contact with hidden viral receptors, further enabling viral infection of the airway epithelium. Here we describe the various models of RV-infected airway epithelial cells and the methods used for the characterization and analysis of AJCs following RV infection.