J. Virol. doi:10.1128/JVI.00100-08
Copyright (c) 2008, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved.
Basolateral Entry and Release of New and Old World Arenaviruses from Human Airway Epithelia
Douglas E. Dylla,
Daniel E. Michele,
Kevin P. Campbell,
and
Paul B. McCray Jr.*
Genetics Ph.D. Program; Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Department of Pediatrics; The Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Abstract |
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Transmission of arenaviruses from rodent host to humans is generally thought to occur through inhalation or ingestion of dust or droplets containing viral particles. Here we demonstrate that two identified arenavirus receptors,
-dystroglycan (
-DG) and transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) are expressed in polarized human airway epithelia. LCMV strains with high or low
-DG affinity, and Junin virus which binds TfR1, efficiently infect polarized epithelia only when applied to the basolateral surface or when injury compromised tight junction integrity. Viral egress from infected epithelia exhibited basolateral polarity. This study demonstrates that respiratory entry of arenaviruses occurs via basolateral receptors.