Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 14, 2026

In Vitro Disassembly of Influenza A Virus Capsids by Gradient Centrifugation
07:24

In Vitro Disassembly of Influenza A Virus Capsids by Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: March 27, 2016

9.6K

Influenza virus hitches a cellular ride to the heart

Jana M Cable1, Jacob S Yount1

  • 1Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Viruses and Emerging Pathogens Program, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|March 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Influenza virus can harm the heart. Researchers found that specific immune cells, pro-DC3 cells, transport the virus from the lungs to the heart, causing damage through interferon signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Influenza virus infection is linked to severe cardiac complications.
  • The precise mechanisms by which influenza virus reaches the heart from the lungs are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the cellular mechanisms responsible for influenza virus transport to the heart.
  • To identify the pathways involved in virus-induced cardiac damage.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the role of specific immune cells in viral dissemination.
  • Utilized models to track influenza virus movement from the lungs to cardiac tissue.
  • Analyzed the impact of viral infection on cardiomyocytes and associated signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that pro-DC3 cells are key carriers of influenza virus to the heart.
  • Confirmed infection of cardiomyocytes by the ferried virus.
  • Showed that type I interferon signaling mediates virus-induced cardiac damage.

Conclusions:

  • Pro-DC3 cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of influenza-associated myocarditis.
  • Type I interferon signaling is a crucial mediator of influenza virus-induced cardiac injury.
  • Understanding these mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for cardiac complications of influenza.

More Related Videos

Measuring Attachment and Internalization of Influenza A Virus in A549 Cells by Flow Cytometry07:25

Measuring Attachment and Internalization of Influenza A Virus in A549 Cells by Flow Cytometry

Published on: November 4, 2015

10.7K
Modeling Dysplastic and Functional Lung Alveolar Repair after Influenza Infection07:45

Modeling Dysplastic and Functional Lung Alveolar Repair after Influenza Infection

Published on: September 19, 2025

583

Related Concept Videos

Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.8K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.4K
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
25.5K
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
1.2K
Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
75.5K
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
3.8K