Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Virol J 2011 Sep 20;8:443

Susceptibility of human primary neuronal cells to Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-related (XMRV) virus infection.

Ravichandran V, Major EO, Ibe C, Monaco MC, Girisetty MK, Hewlett IK

BACKGROUND: Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-related (XMRV) virus is a recently identified mouse gammaretrovirus that has the ability to infect certain human cells. In this study, we investigated the susceptibility of primary neuronal cell types to infection with XMRV. FINDINGS: We observed that the human primary progenitors, progenitor-derived neurons, and progenitor-derived astrocytes supported XMRV multiplication. Interestingly, both progenitors and progenitor-derived neurons were more susceptible compared with progenitor-derived astrocytes. In addition, XMRV-infected Jurkat cells were able to transmit infection to neuronal cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that neuronal cells are susceptible for XMRV infection.