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Intercellular vesicular transmission of viral populations

atlan-bonnet

 

Nihal Altan-Bonnet Ph.D.

Earl Stadtman Investigator

Head of Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Dynamics 

Cell Biology and Physiology Center

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

National Institutes of Health

 

 

 

Abstract

 

We recently discovered an entirely novel type of viral transmission whereby enteroviruses are transmitted as populations, instead of as single viral particles, among cells (Chen YH et al., Cell 160(4):619-30 2015). We found this type of infectivity to be mediated by phosphatidylserine-enriched vesicles derived from host membranes. This mode of transmission, due to its essentially “quantal” nature, delivers large quantities of viral genomes simultaneously into the cytoplasm of susceptible host cells. We find that this results in very high multiplicities of infection that both enhance viral replication and modulate the host immune system. We discuss the impact of these findings on viral pathogenesis. 

 

Suggested Readings

 

Chen YH et al., 2015 Phosphatidylserine vesicles enable efficient en block transmission of Enteroviruses. Cell 160(4):619-30