Viral and Cellular Factors Contributing to the Hematogenous Dissemination of Human Cytomegalovirus via Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes.

ABSTRACT: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) presumably transmit human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) between endothelial cells in blood vessels and thereby facilitate spread to peripheral organs. We aimed to identify viral components that contribute to PMN-mediated transmission and test the hypothesis that cellular adhesion molecules shield transmission sites from entry inhibitors. Stop codons were introduced into the genome of HCMV strain Merlin to delete pUL74 of the trimeric and pUL128 of the pentameric glycoprotein complex and the tegument proteins pp65 and pp71. Mutants were analyzed regarding virus uptake by PMNs and transfer of infection to endothelial cells. Cellular adhesion molecules were evaluated for their contribution to virus transmission using function-blocking antibodies, and hits were fur

SUBMITTER: Braun B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9323586 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature