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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #219718
Title: Bluetongue virus mammalian cell surface receptors: Role of glycosaminologycans

Author
item McHolland, Linda
item Mecham, James

Submitted to: Journal of General Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2005
Publication Date: 11/5/2005
Citation: Mcholland, L.E., Mecham, J.O. 2005. Bluetongue virus mammalian cell surface receptors: Role of glycosaminologycans. Journal of General Virology.

Interpretive Summary: Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne virus that infects both mammalian and insect hosts. The first step in infection involves the interaction of viral proteins with specific cellular receptors, and is requisite for virus entry into cells and subsequent replication. The nature of this interaction in BTV replication is poorly understood. This study was initiated to characterize the type(s) of mammalian cell surface receptor(s) that interacts with BTV to initiate infection. The data showed that glycosaminoglycans on the cell surface are necessary for optimum infection of susceptible cells, but are not required for infection with BTV. This suggests that, in addition to binding a primary receptor, a second co-receptor is also required for initiation of infection. Understanding virus/cell interactions during initiation of infection will allow the development of novel control mechanisms.

Technical Abstract: Binding and infection rates of bluetongue virus (BTV) on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and glucosaminoglycan deficient and wild type CHO cell lines and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells were determined in the presence or absence of GAG and sialic acid antagonists. Data showed that virus binding and infection rates were significantly reduced on GAG and glucosaminoglycan deficient cells and in the presence of GAG binding inhibitors, particularly heparan sulfate, but infection was not abrogated. The interaction of the virus with cell surface expressed GAGs was not necessary for virus infection, but increased the efficiency of virus binding and infection. This suggests that at least two cell surface receptors function in the binding and internalization of BTV in mammalian cells in vitro. Glycosaminoglycans serve as the initial binding receptor, which leads to more efficient binding to a secondary receptor.