title: Can viruses form biofilms?
abstract: The recent finding that the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) encases itself in a carbohydrate-rich adhesive extracellular 'cocoon', which enables its efficient and protected transfer between cells, unveiled a new infectious entity and a novel mechanism of viral transmission. These HTLV-1 structures are observed at the surface of T cells from HTLV-1-infected patients and are reminiscent of bacterial biofilms. The virus controls the synthesis of the matrix, which surrounds the virions and attaches them to the T cell surface. We propose that, similar to bacterial biofilms, viral biofilms could represent 'viral communities' with enhanced infectious capacity and improved spread compared with 'free' viral particles, and might constitute a key reservoir for chronic infections.
authors: Institut Pasteur, Lymphocyte Cell Biology Unit, Department of Immunology, 28 rue du Dr Roux, F-75724 Paris, France. (marie-isabelle.thoulouze@pasteur.fr
authors: Maria-Isabel
authors: MI
authors: Thoulouze
authors: Andrés
authors: A
authors: Alcover
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000821:virology; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena