Lassa Virus Cell Entry Reveals New Aspects of Virus-Host Cell Interaction

Abstract

Viral entry represents the first step of every viral infection and is a determinant for the host range and disease potential of a virus. Here, we review the latest developments on cell entry of the highly pathogenic Old World arenavirus Lassa virus, providing novel insights into the complex virus-host cell interaction of this important human pathogen. We will cover new discoveries on the molecular mechanisms of receptor recognition, endocytosis, and the use of late endosomal entry factors.

Seroprevalence of rodent-borne viruses in Afro-descendent communities in Brazil

“…Their results suggest that natural selection may have targeted variants giving rise to alternative splicing or differential gene expressions of LARGE and IL21 in West African populations. Overall, their results support the hypothesis that selective pressures imposed by the Lassa virus may have led to the emergence of particular alleles conferring resistance to the Lassa virus, and the Lassa fever an endemic arenavirus hemorrhagic disease in West Africa 15 , 16 . Perhaps some genetic recombination taking place in their ancestors may indicate some degree of Afro-descendent-associated resistance in quilombola communities to arenavirus infections, resulting in milder disease or even asymptomatic undetected cases.…”

Virus–Host Interactions Involved in Lassa Virus Entry and Genome Replication

“…In the last years, several reports have provided robust evidence that LASV can utilize alternative entry factors apart from the well-characterized α-DG [144]. Novel lectin and PtdSer receptors have emerged as non-canonical LASV ports of entry, proposed to enhance the viral cell tropism and/or redirect infection to selected cell types.…”

Mammarenaviral Infection Is Dependent on Directional Exposure to and Release from Polarized Intestinal Epithelia

“…Along with additional receptors and their role in our system, the interaction with α-DG should also be investigated. An excellent review by Torriani et al describes a number of studies that explain the complex viral-receptor interaction of LASV [ 44 ]. Although fully functional α-DG was detected basolaterally in polarized Caco-2 cells, ML-29’s binding efficiency was low.…”