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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
Pseudotype virions formed between mouse hepatitis virus and lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) mediate LDV
1Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
Abstract:
Infection of cultures of peritoneal macrophages with both lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) resulted in the formation of pseudotype virions containing LDV RNA which productively infected cells that are resistant to infection by intact LDV virions but not to infection by MHV. These cells were mouse L-2 and 3T3-17Cl-1 cells as well as residual peritoneal macrophages from persistently LDV-infected mice. Productive LDV infection of these cells via pseudotype virions was inhibited by antibodies to the MHV spike protein or to the MHV receptor, indicating that LDV RNA entered the cells via particles containing the MHV envelope. Simultaneous exposure of L-2 cells to both LDV and MHV resulted in infection by MHV but not by LDV. The results indicate that an internal block to LDV replication is not the cause of the LDV nonpermissiveness of many cell types, including the majority of the macrophages in an adult mouse. Instead, LDV permissiveness is restricted to a subpopulation of mouse macrophages because only these cells possess a surface component that acts as an LDV receptor.
Insights
Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) RNA can infect resistant cells using pseudotype virions formed with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). This indicates LDV permissiveness depends on specific macrophage surface receptors, not internal replication blocks.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) exhibits restricted cell permissiveness, particularly in macrophages.
- Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) utilizes specific cell surface receptors for entry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism behind LDV's restricted cell permissiveness.
- To determine if LDV entry is mediated by specific cellular receptors.
Main Methods:
- Co-infection of cell cultures (peritoneal macrophages, L-2, 3T3-17Cl-1) with LDV and MHV.
- Formation and characterization of LDV-MHV pseudotype virions.
- Inhibition studies using antibodies against MHV spike protein and receptor.
Main Results:
- Pseudotype virions containing LDV RNA productively infected cells resistant to intact LDV.
- Infection via pseudotype virions was blocked by anti-MHV antibodies, confirming MHV envelope involvement.
- LDV nonpermissiveness in most cells is due to the absence of a specific LDV surface receptor.
Conclusions:
- LDV entry into non-permissive cells is facilitated by MHV envelope proteins via pseudotyping.
- Cellular permissiveness to LDV is determined by the presence of a specific surface receptor on a subpopulation of macrophages.
- An internal replication block does not explain LDV's limited host range.
