Detection of initial intra-cellular functional, structural and ultra-structural changes in virus-inoculated cells: A...

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Mammalian cell lines (mouse 3T3, bovine EBTr) were used to study cellular responses.
• Inoculation involved low titers of avipoxviral strains (fowl, pigeon) and co-cultivation with mouse myeloma cells.
• The study aimed to identify early cellular injury markers and protective mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate molecular, structural, and ultrastructural changes in mammalian cells following avipoxviral inoculation or co-cultivation with malignant cells.
• To identify potential early markers of cellular injury and protective responses.
• To explore mechanisms like immune molecule production and horizontal gene transfer.

Main Methods:

• In vitro incubation of mouse 3T3 and bovine EBTr cells.
• Inoculation with avipoxviral strains (FK, Dessau).
• Co-cultivation with mouse myeloma cells transfected with recombinant DNA.
• Microscopic observations (light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy - TEM) of fixed and ultra-thin slides.

Main Results:

• Microscopic analysis revealed significant cellular alterations, including membrane excrescences, altered cell/nucleus shape, and modified nucleus-cytoplasm ratio.
• Evidence of activated lipid and protein synthesis (collagen, elastin) was observed.
• TEM showed cytoplasmic vacuolation, granulation, and changes in organelles and nuclear chromatin.
• No cytopathogenic effect, inclusions, or mature virions were detected.

Conclusions:

• Observed cellular changes serve as potential initial markers for infectious, malignant, or degenerative cell injury.
• These alterations highlight cellular protective mechanisms, including potential immune molecule production by non-immune cells.
• Horizontal transfer of nucleotide fragments between cellular and viral genomes is proposed, possibly mediated by fusion processes induced by detergents and temperature changes.