• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

DESC1 and MSPL activate influenza A viruses and emerging coronaviruses for host cell entry

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
J Virol. 2014 Aug 13. pii: JVI.01427-14. [Epub ahead of print]
DESC1 and MSPL activate influenza A viruses and emerging coronaviruses for host cell entry.
Zmora P1, Blazejewska P1, Moldenhauer AS1, Welsch K1, Nehlmeier I1, Wu Q2, Schneider H3, P?hlmann S4, Bertram S1.
Author information
Abstract

The type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP) TMPRSS2 cleaves and activates the surface proteins of influenza and coronaviruses. Expression of TMPRSS2 is essential for spread and pathogenesis of H1N1 influenza viruses in mice. In contrast, H3N2 viruses are less dependent on TMPRSS2 for viral amplification, suggesting that these viruses might employ other TTSPs for their activation. Here, we analysed TTSPs, reported to be expressed in the respiratory system, for their ability to activate influenza and coronaviruses. We found that MSPL and, to a lesser degree DESC1, are expressed in human lung tissue and cleave and activate the spike proteins of the MERS- and SARS-coronavirus for cell-cell and virus-cell fusion. In addition, we show that these proteases support the spread of all influenza virus subtypes previously pandemic in humans. In sum, we identified two host cell proteases which could promote the amplification of influenza and emerging coronaviruses in humans and might constitute targets for antiviral intervention.
IMPORTANCE:

Activation of influenza viruses by host cell proteases is essential for viral infectivity and the responsible enzymes are potential targets for antiviral intervention. The present study demonstrates that two cellular serine proteases, DESC1 and MSPL, activate influenza viruses and emerging coronaviruses in cell culture and, due to their expression in human lung tissue, might promote viral spread in the infected host. Antiviral strategies aiming to prevent viral activation might thus need to encompass inhibitors targeting MSPL and DESC1.

Copyright ? 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

PMID:
25122802
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25122802
 
Back
Top Bottom