Searching across hundreds of databases

Our searching services are busy right now. Your search will reload in five seconds.

X
Forgot Password

If you have forgotten your password you can enter your email here and get a temporary password sent to your email.

X
Forgot Password

If you have forgotten your password you can enter your email here and get a temporary password sent to your email.

Human metapneumovirus Induces Reorganization of the Actin Cytoskeleton for Direct Cell-to-Cell Spread.

PLoS pathogens | 2016

Paramyxovirus spread generally involves assembly of individual viral particles which then infect target cells. We show that infection of human bronchial airway cells with human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a recently identified paramyxovirus which causes significant respiratory disease, results in formation of intercellular extensions and extensive networks of branched cell-associated filaments. Formation of these structures is dependent on actin, but not microtubule, polymerization. Interestingly, using a co-culture assay we show that conditions which block regular infection by HMPV particles, including addition of neutralizing antibodies or removal of cell surface heparan sulfate, did not prevent viral spread from infected to new target cells. In contrast, inhibition of actin polymerization or alterations to Rho GTPase signaling pathways significantly decreased cell-to-cell spread. Furthermore, viral proteins and viral RNA were detected in intercellular extensions, suggesting direct transfer of viral genetic material to new target cells. While roles for paramyxovirus matrix and fusion proteins in membrane deformation have been previously demonstrated, we show that the HMPV phosphoprotein extensively co-localized with actin and induced formation of cellular extensions when transiently expressed, supporting a new model in which a paramyxovirus phosphoprotein is a key player in assembly and spread. Our results reveal a novel mechanism for HMPV direct cell-to-cell spread and provide insights into dissemination of respiratory viruses.

Pubmed ID: 27683250 RIS Download

Associated grants

  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: P20 GM103486
  • Agency: NCRR NIH HHS, United States
    Id: P20 RR020171
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 AI051517
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R56 AI051517

Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.

This is a list of tools and resources that we have found mentioned in this publication.


ATCC (tool)

RRID:SCR_001672

Global nonprofit biological resource center (BRC) and research organization that provides biological products, technical services and educational programs to private industry, government and academic organizations. Its mission is to acquire, authenticate, preserve, develop and distribute biological materials, information, technology, intellectual property and standards for the advancement and application of scientific knowledge. The primary purpose of ATCC is to use its resources and experience as a BRC to become the world leader in standard biological reference materials management, intellectual property resource management and translational research as applied to biomaterial development, standardization and certification. ATCC characterizes cell lines, bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, as well as develops and evaluates assays and techniques for validating research resources and preserving and distributing biological materials to the public and private sector research communities.

View all literature mentions

Proteintech Group (tool)

RRID:SCR_008986

Proteintech Europe Ltd is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company

View all literature mentions

Jackson ImmunoResearch (tool)

RRID:SCR_010488

A commercial antibody vendor, specializing in secondary antibodies.

View all literature mentions

NIS-Elements (tool)

RRID:SCR_014329

Microscope imaging software suite used with Nikon products. NIS-Elements includes software applications for advanced and standard research, documentation, confocal microscopy, and high-content analysis.

View all literature mentions

BlobFinder (tool)

RRID:SCR_015788

Software that can perform calculations on cells from fluorescence microscopy images. BlobFinder can perform two types of analysis: an average count analysis to count the number of fluorescent signals and nuclei in an image, and a single cell analysis to simulate a cytoplasm and assign each signal to a particular cell.

View all literature mentions

CHO-K1 (tool)

RRID:CVCL_0214

Cell line CHO-K1 is a Spontaneously immortalized cell line with a species of origin Cricetulus griseus (Chinese hamster)

View all literature mentions

LLC-MK2 (tool)

RRID:CVCL_3009

Cell line LLC-MK2 is a Spontaneously immortalized cell line with a species of origin Macaca mulatta

View all literature mentions

BEAS-2B (tool)

RRID:CVCL_0168

Cell line BEAS-2B is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)

View all literature mentions

COS-7 (tool)

RRID:CVCL_0224

Cell line COS-7 is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Chlorocebus aethiops (Green monkey)

View all literature mentions

Vero (tool)

RRID:CVCL_0059

Cell line Vero is a Spontaneously immortalized cell line with a species of origin Chlorocebus sabaeus

View all literature mentions

A-549 (tool)

RRID:CVCL_0023

Cell line A-549 is a Cancer cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)

View all literature mentions