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Electron microscopy of influenza virus growth in a human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, MOLT4 cells
X Z Yang1, N Matsuda, H Tsuruoka
1Department of Virology and Immunology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan.
Abstract:
We studied the interaction of influenza virus and a human lymphoblastic line, MOLT4 cells, as a model for that of influenza virus and human T lymphocytes. Influenza virus was found to grow relatively poorly in MOLT4 cells in terms of yield of plaque forming units (PFU) in the presence of trypsin. However, electron microscopy of infected cells revealed that a lot of viral antigens were accumulated in the cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus, and a number of budding virions were on the cell surfaces. Consistently, gel electrophoresis of infected cells demonstrated that the synthesis of virus proteins was abundant. These findings indicated that MOLT4 cells were permissive to influenza virus growth, with production of a relatively smaller number of infectious particles in terms of PFU. Production of interferon (IFN)-alpha and -gamma were not detected in this system by ELISA.
Insights
Influenza virus infects MOLT4 cells, a model for T lymphocytes. Despite low infectious particle yield (plaque-forming units), viral protein synthesis and antigen accumulation indicate permissive viral replication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human T lymphocytes are crucial for immune responses.
- Influenza virus is a significant human pathogen.
- Understanding virus-host interactions is key to antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the replication of influenza virus in MOLT4 cells, a human T lymphocyte model.
- To characterize the permissiveness of MOLT4 cells to influenza virus infection.
- To assess viral antigen and protein production within infected cells.
Main Methods:
- Infection of MOLT4 cells with influenza virus.
- Quantification of infectious virus yield using plaque-forming units (PFU).
- Electron microscopy to visualize viral particles and antigens.
- Gel electrophoresis to analyze viral protein synthesis.
- ELISA to detect interferon production.
Main Results:
- Influenza virus replicated in MOLT4 cells, with abundant viral antigen and protein synthesis.
- A significant accumulation of viral antigens was observed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus.
- Budding virions were detected on the surface of infected cells.
- Despite high viral protein synthesis, the yield of infectious plaque-forming units (PFU) was relatively low.
- No production of interferon-alpha or interferon-gamma was detected.
Conclusions:
- MOLT4 cells are permissive to influenza virus infection, supporting viral replication and protein synthesis.
- The study reveals a discrepancy between viral protein production and infectious particle yield in this model.
- The lack of detectable interferon production suggests a potential immune evasion mechanism by the virus in T lymphocytes.