Rhabdovirus-induced apoptosis in a fish cell line is inhibited by a human endogenous acid cysteine proteinase

H V Björklund1, T R Johansson, A Rinne

  • 1Institute of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland. harry.bjorklund@bmc.uu.se

Journal of Virology
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Spring viremia of carp virus induces apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, in carp cells. This virus-induced apoptosis was blocked by a specific human proteinase inhibitor, revealing a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Rhabdoviruses, such as spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), can cause significant disease in fish.
  • Understanding the host cell response, particularly cell death mechanisms, is crucial for managing viral infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms of cell death induced by SVCV in carp cells.
  • To identify potential pathways involved in rhabdovirus-induced apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of epithelial papilloma of carp (EPC) cell line with SVCV.
  • Utilized electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and agarose gel electrophoresis to analyze cellular changes.
  • Assessed the effect of a human endogenous acid cysteine proteinase inhibitor on virus-induced cell death.

Main Results:

  • SVCV infection led to characteristic changes in cell morphology and DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis.
  • The observed virus-induced apoptosis was significantly inhibited by treatment with a human endogenous acid cysteine proteinase inhibitor.

Conclusions:

  • Spring viremia of carp virus triggers apoptosis in infected carp cells.
  • Acid cysteine proteinase inhibitors may play a role in regulating or preventing rhabdovirus-induced apoptosis, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue.

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