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Hemadsorption of mumps virus examined by light and electron microscopy
Abstract:
The hemadsorption (HAD) reaction of chick embryo cells infected with mumps virus was studied by means of light and electron microscopy, with special reference to the plasma membrane of the infected cell. The concomitant observation of membrane-free aggregates of viral nucleocapsid in the cytoplasm and attached red blood cells on the surface of the same cell indicated that only infected cells hemadsorbed and that hemagglutinin is confined within the infected cell. The attachment of red blood cells to morphologically intact cell membrane prior to its differentiation into viral envelope suggested that the HAD phenomenon, dependent on the presence of hemagglutinin, was independent of the viral maturation process. The gap of low electron density normally separating the morphologically intact membrane of the tissue culture cell and that of the red blood cell at the binding site was replaced by newly formed surface projections in HAD involving a segment of differentiated plasma membrane.
Insights
Mumps virus infection causes hemadsorption (HAD) in chick embryo cells. This reaction, where red blood cells attach to infected cells, is linked to hemagglutinin presence and occurs independently of viral maturation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mumps virus infection affects chick embryo cells.
- Hemadsorption (HAD) is a phenomenon observed in infected cells.
- The plasma membrane's role in HAD is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemadsorption reaction in mumps virus-infected chick embryo cells.
- To elucidate the role of the plasma membrane and viral maturation in HAD.
- To determine the location and dependency of hemagglutinin in the HAD process.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy were used to study infected chick embryo cells.
- Observation of viral nucleocapsid aggregates and red blood cell attachment.
- Analysis of the plasma membrane structure at the cell-cell binding interface.
Main Results:
- Hemadsorption was observed exclusively in mumps virus-infected cells.
- Hemagglutinin, responsible for red blood cell binding, is located within the infected cell.
- Red blood cell attachment occurred on intact cell membranes before viral envelope differentiation, indicating independence from viral maturation.
- The binding site showed differentiated plasma membrane with surface projections, replacing the normal membrane gap.
Conclusions:
- Hemadsorption in mumps virus-infected cells is dependent on hemagglutinin.
- The HAD phenomenon is independent of the viral maturation process.
- Specific changes in the plasma membrane occur during hemadsorption, involving surface projections.