Mechanisms of lymphocyte loss in SARS coronavirus infection.
1. Human lymphocytes and monocytes are not permissive to productive SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in vitro. 2. Challenge of lymphocytes and monocytes with infectious SARS-CoV, inactivated virions, and receptor-binding fragment of spike protein does not trigger apoptosis. 3. Direct infection/interaction between viruses and lymphocytes/monocytes is unlikely to be the cause of lymphopaenia in SARS patients. 4. Lymphopaenia in SARS patients is likely to result from indirect mechanisms secondary to the viral infection.
Chan
P K S
PK
Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. paulkschan@cuhk.edu.hk
Chen
G G
GG
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins