AJP - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Vol 268, Issue 2 214-L220, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
Bovine herpesvirus-1 infection reduces bronchial epithelial cell migration to extracellular matrix proteins
J. R. Spurzem, M. Raz, H. Ito, C. L. Kelling, L. C. Stine, D. J. Romberger and S. I. Rennard
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Omaha 68105.
Repair of airway epithelium after viral infection involves migration of
epithelial cells to cover injured, denuded areas. We determined whether
viral infection reduces the capability of bronchial epithelial cells to
migrate and to attach to extracellular matrix proteins. Inoculation of
bovine bronchial epithelial cells in vitro with bovine herpesvirus-1
reduced their ability to migrate in two different assays of cell migration.
When attachment assays were performed, fewer cells attached to both control
wells and matrix protein-precoated wells, suggesting that general
mechanisms of adherence to substrates were altered by viral infection.
Focal contact points of epithelial cells with the underlying matrix were
evaluated with epifluorescence microscopy and monoclonal antibodies to
vinculin and alpha v, an integrin chain. Disruption of focal contact points
was seen early after infection and was prevented by an inhibitor of viral
DNA polymerase, phosphonoacetic acid. Cycloheximide did not cause similar
disruptions of focal contacts at early time points. Viral infection thus
has marked effects on the interactions of bronchial epithelial cells with
extracellular matrix and the organization of matrix to cytoskeleton links.
The effects appear to be dependent in part on viral replication in the
cells and are not simply due to reductions in host cell protein synthesis.
