Distribution of the Feline Calicivirus Receptor Junctional Adhesion Molecule A in Feline Tissues

Abstract

Junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) is an immunoglobulin superfamily protein that plays an important role in the assembly and maintenance of tight junctions and the establishment of epithelial cell polarity. The feline JAM-A (fJAM-A) is a functional receptor for feline calicivirus (FCV). Among natural diseases associated with FCV infection, isolates that cause oral vesicular disease are detected in epithelial cells; however, isolates that cause systemic disease are detected in multiple cell types. The distribution of an FCV receptor or receptors in feline tissues is relevant to viral pathogenesis in that it should reflect the wide latitude of clinical sequelae associated with FCV infection. The authors examined the expression of feline JAM-A in the cat by using confocal immunofluorescence localization on normal tissues, with special regard to tissue targets of naturally occurring FCV. As described in the human and the mouse, fJAM-A was widely distributed in feline tissues, where it localized at cell-cell junctions of epithelial and endothelial cells. fJAM-A was highly expressed on feline platelets, with lower levels of expression on feline peripheral blood leukocytes. Additionally, FCV infection of a feline epithelial cell monolayer causes redistribution of fJAM-A to the cytosol of infected cells. It is reasonable to propose that the spectrum of lesions caused by FCV reflects disruption of intercellular junctions that rely on fJAM-A function and tight junctional integrity.

Exploring Reovirus Plasticity for Improving Its Use as Oncolytic Virus

“…Most of the receptor studies are done in cells cultured in monolayers [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Monolayer cultures, however, are not representative for tumors when it comes to cell–cell interactions, since the cells are forced to grow on a plastic substrate leaving the apical side exposed to the culture medium and only small areas contact the neighboring cells.…”

Nitazoxanide protects cats from feline calicivirus infection and acts synergistically with mizoribine in vitro

“…There was significant relief of the symptoms of oral ulcers, especially in cats who received NTZ at 3 dpi, (Supplementary Material S2). The amount of FCV in the trachea and lungs, which are easily infected by FCV (Pesavento et al, 2011), was significantly reduced after treatment with different doses of NTZ, and this result was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. By analyzing complete blood counts and biochemical results, we found that systemic symptoms were alleviated in cats that received NTZ.…”

Equine immunoglobulin F(ab')2 fragments protect cats against feline calicivirus infection

“…When given a certain dose of pF(ab') 2 , the viral loads in the cats' tracheas, lungs and spleens were significantly decreased in both the preventive and therapeutic groups (p < 0.05). These organs produce the feline junctional adhesion molecule A (fJAM-A), a FCV-specific receptor [21]. The reduction in viral load and virus shedding demonstrated that pF(ab') 2 inhibited the proliferation of FCV in cats.…”