title: A polarized cell model for Chikungunya virus infection: entry and egress of virus occurs at the apical domain of polarized cells.
abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has resulted in several outbreaks in the past six decades. The clinical symptoms of Chikungunya infection include fever, skin rash, arthralgia, and an increasing incidence of encephalitis. The re-emergence of CHIKV with more severe pathogenesis highlights its potential threat on our human health. In this study, polarized HBMEC, polarized Vero C1008 and non-polarized Vero cells grown on cell culture inserts were infected with CHIKV apically or basolaterally. Plaque assays, viral binding assays and immunofluorescence assays demonstrated apical entry and release of CHIKV in polarized HBMEC and Vero C1008. Drug treatment studies were performed to elucidate both host cell and viral factors involved in the sorting and release of CHIKV at the apical domain of polarized cells. Disruption of host cell myosin II, microtubule and microfilament networks did not disrupt the polarized release of CHIKV. However, treatment with tunicamycin resulted in a bi-directional release of CHIKV, suggesting that N-glycans of CHIKV envelope glycoproteins could serve as apical sorting signals.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pei Jin
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Justin Jang Hann
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D018354:Alphavirus Infections; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002462:Cell Membrane; D016764:Cell Polarity; D065632:Chikungunya Fever; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000502:physiology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014709:Vero Cells; D053586:Virus Internalization; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology*