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Viral induction of apoptosis

Cell death in organisms is necessary in maintaining regular functions and activities of the cells. It is also important in the normal development of cells as well as cell cycle maturation. If the natural occurrences of these cell death mechanisms are altered or resisted, diseases such as AIDS and diabetes can occur.

The study apoptosis stimulated by the family Bunyaviridae was initiated in 1996 when it was observed that apoptosis was induced into baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) by La Crosse virus, as well as in the brains of baby mice.

It is necessary to understand the dimensions of the resistant mechanisms of apoptosis as well as the apoptotic signaling pathways in order to produce new drug targets which in the long run can be more effective and more specific in the treatment of dysfunctional tissues or organs. Apoptosis is stimulated by both intracellular and extracellular incentives and requires different types of signals. Apoptotic cells are easily distinguished from living cells based on their morphology as well as their biochemical characteristics. (Arcrani) In the body, these cells are easily removed by phagocytes without causing any harm or damage to surrounding tissues.

Oropouche virus using HeLa cells

The Oropouche virus OROV is found in the family Bunyaviridae and is a disease that is transmitted between humans by the biting midge in tropical areas such as the South America and Trinidad and is referred to as the zoonotic arboviruses. This virus causes febrile illness, characterized by the onset of a sudden fever known as the Oropouche fever.

Apoptosis is induced when the virus is replicated into the host cell during infection. OROV causes the disruption of cells in cultured cells, for example HeLa cells whereby cells begin to degenerate shortly after they are infected. (Arcrani) With the use of gel electrophoresis, it is observed that OROV can cause fragmentation of DNA in HeLa cells. This can be obtained by counting, measuring and analyzing the cells of the Sub/G1 population. (Arcrani) When HeLA cells are infected with OROV, the cytochrome C is released from the membrane of the mitochondria, into the cytosol of the HeLA cells. This type of interaction shows that apoptosis is activated via an intrinsic pathway.

In the case of the OROV it has been detected that in order for apoptosis to occur, viral uncoating, viral internalization and replication of the cells is necessary. Some experiments have demonstrated that in the case of the Oropouche virus, viral-receptor binding is not sufficed for the disruption of the cell and therefore the virus needs to enter the cells in order to be effective. While in some viruses apoptosis is activated by extracellular stimuli, the OROV infection which is in vitro causes apoptosis to be activated through intracellular stimuli and involves the mitochondria. (Arcrani)