Mary Wilson
Well-known member
Published: 8 September 2023
Downloaded by ASM: 09 January 2025
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01589-23
ABSTRACT
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can spread between cells through
budding of virus particles or direct cell-to-cell spread. A network of budding filaments
and intercellular extensions forms in HMPV-infected cells; however, the involvement
of these structures in direct cell-to-cell spread of infection remains to be investigated.
Utilizing advanced imaging techniques, we show that budding filaments contain the
viral RNA genome, and not the antigenome, and become enriched with HMPV F protein
as infection progresses. Multiple filaments containing the F protein on their surface were
seen emanating from one cell to contact a neighboring cell, strongly suggesting that
these are budding filamentous HMPV virions. In addition, changes in the morphology
and properties of intercellular extensions following HMPV infection were detected. We
show that intercellular extensions allow the transfer of a cytosolic dye only in HMPV-
infected cells. In addition, using live imaging, we provide novel evidence of the direct
passage of inclusion bodies from cell-to-cell across intercellular extensions. These results
provide novel insights into the direct cell-to-cell spread of HMPV and suggest that this
mode of transmission can occur through different mechanisms.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10...getft_integrator=sciencedirect_contenthosting
Downloaded by ASM: 09 January 2025
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01589-23
ABSTRACT
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can spread between cells through
budding of virus particles or direct cell-to-cell spread. A network of budding filaments
and intercellular extensions forms in HMPV-infected cells; however, the involvement
of these structures in direct cell-to-cell spread of infection remains to be investigated.
Utilizing advanced imaging techniques, we show that budding filaments contain the
viral RNA genome, and not the antigenome, and become enriched with HMPV F protein
as infection progresses. Multiple filaments containing the F protein on their surface were
seen emanating from one cell to contact a neighboring cell, strongly suggesting that
these are budding filamentous HMPV virions. In addition, changes in the morphology
and properties of intercellular extensions following HMPV infection were detected. We
show that intercellular extensions allow the transfer of a cytosolic dye only in HMPV-
infected cells. In addition, using live imaging, we provide novel evidence of the direct
passage of inclusion bodies from cell-to-cell across intercellular extensions. These results
provide novel insights into the direct cell-to-cell spread of HMPV and suggest that this
mode of transmission can occur through different mechanisms.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10...getft_integrator=sciencedirect_contenthosting