Abstract
Epithelial cells are apico-basolateral polarized cells that line all tubular organs and are often targets for infectious agents. This review focuses on the release of human RNA virus particles from both sides of polarized human cells grown on transwells. Most viruses that infect the mucosa leave their host cells mainly via the apical side while basolateral release is linked to virus propagation within the host. Viruses do this by hijacking the cellular factors involved in polarization and trafficking. Thus, understanding epithelial polarization is essential for a clear understanding of virus pathophysiology.
Highlights
This review focuses on studies that analyze the amounts, infectivity and physicochemical characteristics of human RNA virus particles released from both sides of polarized human cells grown in transwells
These observations are consistent with the natural route of these viruses during infection: after apical infection of intestinal cells, virus particles released at the basolateral side could reach the liver via the bloodstream and infect hepatocytes via their basolateral membrane
HCV core protein moves to the basolateral membrane of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells where it blocks the synthesis of the major regulators of polarity, Scribble and Dlg1
Summary
Epithelial cells line all tubular organs and are often the first targets of infectious agents. Their apico-basolateral polarization is due to molecular events that occur throughout their development. These ones modify the cell membrane composition and produce different trafficking routes to and from each pole [1]. These mechanisms can be hijacked by viruses at several stages of their life cycle, resulting in polarized entry and release. While organoid models have been developed recently they have rarely been used yet to study the polarized release of viruses.
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