Related Experiment Videos
Host cell dependence of viral morphology
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Summary
Cellular factors influence influenza virus shape. Polarized epithelial cells produce filamentous influenza viruses, while nonpolarized cells produce spherical ones, highlighting the role of actin networks in viral morphology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Influenza virus morphology can vary.
- Cellular factors may influence viral shape.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated the determinants of filamentous influenza virus formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cellular determinants in the morphology of influenza virions.
- To examine the influence of cell polarization and the actin cytoskeleton on influenza virus shape.
Main Methods:
- Infection of polarized and nonpolarized cell types with A/Udorn/72 influenza virus.
- Treatment of infected polarized cells with cytochalasin D (disrupts actin) and nocodazole (disrupts microtubules).
- Quantification of viral particle morphology (filamentous vs. spherical) and virus titers.
Main Results:
- Polarized epithelial cells produced significantly more filamentous influenza virions compared to nonpolarized cells.
- Disruption of the actin microfilament network with cytochalasin D reduced filamentous virion release by 15-fold, without affecting spherical virion release or overall virus titers.
- Microtubule disruption with nocodazole did not alter the ratio of filamentous to spherical virions.
Conclusions:
- The polarized cell phenotype is a key determinant of filamentous influenza virus morphology.
- The integrity of the actin microfilament network is crucial for the production of filamentous influenza virions.
- Cellular architecture significantly impacts influenza virus particle shape.