Prolonged presence of replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 in mildly symptomatic individuals: A report of two cases.

It has been estimated that individuals with COVID-19 can shed replication-competent virus up to a maximum of 20 days after initiation of symptoms. The majority of studies that addressed this situation involved hospitalized individuals and those with severe disease. Studies to address the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 during the different phases of COVID-19 disease in mildly infected individuals, and utilization of viral culture techniques to identify replication-competent viruses, have been limited. This report describes two patients with mild forms of the disease who shed replication-competent virus for 24 and 37 days, respectively, after symptom onset.

SARS-coronavirus-2 replication in Vero E6 cells: replication kinetics, rapid adaptation and cytopathology.

The sudden emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the end of 2019 from the Chinese province of Hubei and its subsequent pandemic spread highlight the importance of understanding the full molecular details of coronavirus infection and pathogenesis. Here, we compared a variety of replication features of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV and analysed the cytopathology caused by the two closely related viruses in the commonly used Vero E6 cell line. Compared to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 generated higher levels of intracellular viral RNA, but strikingly about 50-fold less infectious viral progeny was recovered from the culture medium. Immunofluorescence microscopy of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells established extensive cross-reactivity of antisera previously raised against a variety of non-structural proteins, membrane and nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV. Electron microscopy revealed that the ultrastructural changes induced by the two SARS viruses are very similar and occur within comparable time frames after infection. Furthermore, we determined that the sensitivity of the two viruses to three established inhibitors of coronavirus replication (remdesivir, alisporivir and chloroquine) is very similar, but that SARS-CoV-2 infection was substantially more sensitive to pre-treatment of cells with pegylated interferon alpha. An important difference between the two viruses is the fact that - upon passaging in Vero E6 cells - SARS-CoV-2 apparently is under strong selection pressure to acquire adaptive mutations in its spike protein gene. These mutations change or delete a putative furin-like cleavage site in the region connecting the S1 and S2 domains and result in a very prominent phenotypic change in plaque assays.

Low impact to fixed cell processing aiming transmission electron microscopy.

In cell culture, cell structures suffer strong impact due to centrifugation during processing for electron microscope observation. In order to minimise this effect, a new protocol was successfully developed. Using conventional reagents and equipments, it took over one week, but cell compression was reduced to none or the lowest deformation possible.

Low impact to fixed cell processing aiming transmission electron microscopy

In cell culture, cell structures suffer strong impact due to centrifugation during processing for electron microscope observation. In order to minimise this effect, a new protocol was successfully developed. Using conventional reagents and equipments, it took over one week, but cell compression was reduced to none or the lowest deformation possible.

Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy discloses different types of cell death in flow cytometrically sorted cells.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a label free methodology showing promise in characterizing different types of cell death. Cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and African monkey kidney (Vero) cells were treated with a necrosis inducer (methanol), novel apoptotic inducers (diphenylphosphino gold (I) complexes) and positive control, auranofin. Following treatment, cells stained with annexin-V and propidium iodide were sorted using a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS Aria) to obtain populations consisting of either viable, necrotic or apoptotic cells. Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed successful sorting of all three populations. Four bands were identified which could discriminate between viable and necrotic cells namely 989 cm(-1), 2852 cm(-1), 2875 cm(-1) and 2923 cm(-1). In HeLa cells viable and induced apoptosis could be distinguished by 1294 cm(-1), while four bands were different in Vero cells namely; 1626 cm(-1), 1741 cm(-1), 2852 cm(-1) 2923 cm(-1). Principal Component Analysis showed separation between the different types of cell death and the loadings plots indicated an increase in an additional band at 1623 cm(-1) in dead cells. FTIR spectroscopy can be developed into an invaluable tool for the assessment of specific types of chemically induced cell death with notably different molecular signatures depending on whether the cells are cancerous and mechanism of cell death.

Contribution of rearranged actin structures to the spread of Ectromelia virus infection in vitro.

We describe here a contribution of virus-induced actin tails and filopodia in transmission of Ectromelia virus (ECTV) infection in permissive cells detected by the immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Immunoblot analysis revealed profoundly decreased beta-actin levels during ECTV replicative cycle in the infected cells 24 hrs post infection (p.i.). These results provided a basis for the further analysis of ECTV motion in the infected cells as well as for impact of ECTV infection on the cytoskeletal proteins.

Integrity of the early secretory pathway promotes, but is not required for, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus RNA synthesis and virus-induced remodeling of endoplasmic reticulum membranes.

To accommodate its RNA synthesis in the infected cell, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) induces a cytoplasmic reticulovesicular network (RVN) that is derived from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. We set out to investigate how the early secretory pathway interacts with the RVN and the viral replication/transcription complex (RTC) that is anchored to it. When the secretory pathway was disrupted by brefeldin A (BFA) treatment at the start of infection, RVN formation and viral RTC activity were not blocked and continued up to 11 h postinfection, although RNA synthesis was reduced by ca. 80%. In vitro RTC assays, using membrane fractions from infected cells, demonstrated that BFA does not directly interfere with the activity of the viral RNA-synthesizing enzymes. Confocal microscopy studies showed that early secretory pathway components are not associated with SARS-CoV-induced replication sites, although our studies revealed that infection induces a remarkable redistribution of the translocon subunit Sec61alpha. Ultrastructural studies, including electron tomography, revealed that the formation of the RVN and all its previously documented features can occur in the presence of BFA, despite differences in the volume and morphology of the network. We therefore conclude that early secretory pathway proteins do not play a direct role in RVN morphogenesis or the functionality of the SARS-CoV RTC. The BFA-induced disruption of ER integrity and functionality probably affects the overall quality of the membrane scaffold that is needed to support the viral RTC and/or the availability of specific host factors, which in turn compromises viral RNA synthesis.

Culture supernatants from V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains isolated from different geographic areas induce cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity / Cepas de V. cholerae O1 biotipo ElTor aisladas de diferente origen geográfico inducen vacuolización celular y citotoxicidad

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is produced by V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains isolated from different geographic origins, including Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Supernatant-induced haemolysis, vacuolating activity and cytotoxicity in Vero cells were recorded. PCR, RFLP analysis and molecular cloning were performed. RESULTS: All ElTor strains analyzed induced cellular vacuolation. Ribotype 2 strains isolates from the U.S. gulf coast yielded the highest titer of vacuolating activity. Eight of nine strains were haemolytic, while all strains were PCR positive for the hlyA gene. We cloned the hlyA gene from two ElTor strains, a toxigenic (2514-88, ctxAB+) and a non-toxigenic Mexican strain (CM 91-3, ctxAB-). Supernatant from those recombinant E. coli strains induced haemolysis, cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity. RFLP-PCR analysis revealed similarities in the hlyA gene from all strains tested. CONCLUSION: The HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is a widespread phenotype of epidemic V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el efecto vacuolizante de cepas de V. cholerae O1 ElTor aisladas de diferente origen geográfico, incluyendo México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizaron pruebas de hemolisis, vacuolización y citotoxicidad en células Vero, así como PCR, análisis por RFLP y clonación molecular. RESULTADOS: Todas las cepas indujeron el efecto vacuolizante. Las cepas del ribotipo 2, aisladas de las costas del Golfo en Estados Unidos, presentaron títulos altos de vacuolización. El gen hlyA fue amplificado en las nueve cepas mediante PCR, aunque sólo ocho fueron hemolíticas. Se clonó el gen hlyA de una cepa toxigénica (2514-88, ctxAB+) y de una cepa no toxigénica aislada en México (CM 91-3, ctxAB-). El sobrenadante de las clonas recombinantes indujo hemólisis, efecto vacuolizante y citotoxicidad. El RFLP mostró alta similitud del gen hlyA de las cepas estudiadas. CONCLUSIÓN: El efecto vacuolizante es un fenotipo ampliamente distribuido en cepas epidémicas de V. cholerae O1 biotipo ElTor.

Culture supernatants from V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains isolated from different geographic areas induce cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is produced by V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains isolated from different geographic origins, including Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Supernatant-induced haemolysis, vacuolating activity and cytotoxicity in Vero cells were recorded. PCR, RFLP analysis and molecular cloning were performed. RESULTS: All ElTor strains analyzed induced cellular vacuolation. Ribotype 2 strains isolates from the U.S. gulf coast yielded the highest titer of vacuolating activity. Eight of nine strains were haemolytic, while all strains were PCR positive for the hlyA gene. We cloned the hlyA gene from two ElTor strains, a toxigenic (2514-88, ctxAB+) and a non-toxigenic Mexican strain (CM 91-3, ctxAB-). Supernatant from those recombinant E. coli strains induced haemolysis, cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity. RFLP-PCR analysis revealed similarities in the hlyA gene from all strains tested. CONCLUSION: The HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is a widespread phenotype of epidemic V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains.

Microcarriers for high-pressure freezing and cryosectioning of adherent cells.

A method is described employing microcarrier spheres of cross-linked dextran for obtaining ultra- and semithin vitreous sections from high-pressure frozen anchorage-dependent (mammalian) cells. Avoiding trypsination or scraping cells off from the culture surface, the presented approach allows for cryoimmobilization, cryosectioning and cryoelectron microscopy/tomography of frozen-hydrated cells in an unperturbed manner which is important to preserve the native state of, for instance, the cytoskeleton. Furthermore, our studies on the 'life cycle' of Herpes simplex virus in Vero cells demonstrate that cell monolayers on microcarrier beads are well suited for fluorescence microscopic characterization of the sample prior to high-pressure freezing.

Actin filaments are involved in the maintenance of Golgi cisternae morphology and intra-Golgi pH.

Here we examine the contribution of actin dynamics to the architecture and pH of the Golgi complex. To this end, we have used toxins that depolymerize (cytochalasin D, latrunculin B, mycalolide B, and Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin) or stabilize (jasplakinolide) filamentous actin. When various clonal cell lines were examined by epifluorescence microscopy, all of these actin toxins induced compaction of the Golgi complex. However, ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography/three-dimensional modelling of the Golgi complex showed that F-actin depolymerization first induces perforation/fragmentation and severe swelling of Golgi cisternae, which leads to a completely disorganized structure. In contrast, F-actin stabilization results only in cisternae perforation/fragmentation. Concomitantly to actin depolymerization-induced cisternae swelling and disorganization, the intra-Golgi pH significantly increased. Similar ultrastructural and Golgi pH alkalinization were observed in cells treated with the vacuolar H+ -ATPases inhibitors bafilomycin A1 and concanamycin A. Overall, these results suggest that actin filaments are implicated in the preservation of the flattened shape of Golgi cisternae. This maintenance seems to be mediated by the regulation of the state of F-actin assembly on the Golgi pH homeostasis.

[Microtubules are necessary for lamellae retraction of Vero cells].

Behavior of Vero cells under the 2,3-butaneodione monoxime (BDM) treatment was examined using video-microscopy with contrast enhancement. After addition of BDM to the culture medium the area of cell contact with substratum gradually reduced--within 5 min of treatment cell lamellae became thicker, after 60 min the cell area decreased approximately 70 %, and the cells became nearly rounded. At the same time actin bundles (stress fibers) depolymerized, and microtubule network became denser. Partial depolymerization of microfilaments by treatment with latrunculin B at a concentration of 5 nM resulted in complete loss of stress fibers, yet cells slightly change their form, and microtubule system remained the same as in the control cells. However, after addition of BDM in the presence of latrunculin B cells retracted their lamellae more quickly then under BDM sole treatment. To evaluate the role of microtubules in the process of cell retraction we depolymerized them with nocodazole taken at the concentration of 5 ng/ml. Under nocodazole treatment the cell area decreased approximately 20 %, and stress fibers became more thick and abandon. The cells did not change their form, and stress fibers depolymerized very slowly under BDM treatment in the absence of microtubules. After 1 h of BDM treatment in the presence ofnocodazole stress fibers were still more numerous than in the control cells. Complete depolymerization of stress fibers happened in 90 % of cells only in 24 h after addition of BDM. When nocodazole had been washed out of the culture medium in the presence of BDM, lamellae started shrinking in 6 min. This time corresponds to the time required for the partial restoration of microtubule system. On the bases of the results obtained we conclude that retraction of the lamellae in Vero cells is guided rather mainly by microtubules, than stress-fibers.

Use of blends of bioabsorbable poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(hydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate) as surfaces for Vero cell culture.

Vero cells, a cell line established from the kidney of the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), were cultured in F-10 Ham medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum at 37 degrees C on membranes of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and their blends in different proportions (100/0, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, and 0/100). The present study evaluated morphology of cells grown on different polymeric substrates after 24 h of culture by scanning electron microscopy. Cell adhesion was also analyzed after 2 h of inoculation. For cell growth evaluation, the cells were maintained in culture for 48, 120, 240, and 360 h. For cytochemical study, the cells were cultured for 120 or 240 h, fixed, processed for histological analysis, and stained with Toluidine blue, pH 4.0, and Xylidine ponceau, pH 2.5. Our results showed that cell adhesion was better when 60/40 and 50/50 blends were used although cells were able to grow and proliferate on all blends tested. When using PLLA/PHBV (50/50) slightly flattened cells were observed on porous and smooth areas. PLLA/PHBV (40/60) blends presented flattened cells on smooth areas. PLLA/PHBV (0/100), which presented no pores, also supported spreading cells interconnected by thin filaments. Histological sections showed that cells grew as a confluent monolayer on different substrates. Cytochemical analysis showed basophilic cells, indicating a large amount of RNA and proteins. Hence, we detected changes in cell morphology induced by alterations in blend proportions. This suggests that the cells changed their differentiation pattern when on various PLLA/PHBV blend surfaces.

Use of blends of bioabsorbable poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(hydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate) as surfaces for Vero cell culture

Vero cells, a cell line established from the kidney of the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), were cultured in F-10 Ham medium supplemented with 10 percent fetal calf serum at 37°C on membranes of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and their blends in different proportions (100/0, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, and 0/100). The present study evaluated morphology of cells grown on different polymeric substrates after 24 h of culture by scanning electron microscopy. Cell adhesion was also analyzed after 2 h of inoculation. For cell growth evaluation, the cells were maintained in culture for 48, 120, 240, and 360 h. For cytochemical study, the cells were cultured for 120 or 240 h, fixed, processed for histological analysis, and stained with Toluidine blue, pH 4.0, and Xylidine ponceau, pH 2.5. Our results showed that cell adhesion was better when 60/40 and 50/50 blends were used although cells were able to grow and proliferate on all blends tested. When using PLLA/PHBV (50/50) slightly flattened cells were observed on porous and smooth areas. PLLA/PHBV (40/60) blends presented flattened cells on smooth areas. PLLA/PHBV (0/100), which presented no pores, also supported spreading cells interconnected by thin filaments. Histological sections showed that cells grew as a confluent monolayer on different substrates. Cytochemical analysis showed basophilic cells, indicating a large amount of RNA and proteins. Hence, we detected changes in cell morphology induced by alterations in blend proportions. This suggests that the cells changed their differentiation pattern when on various PLLA/PHBV blend surfaces.

Cytotoxic effects in mammalian Vero cells exposed to pentachlorophenol.

The effects of pentachlorophenol have been studied on diverse biological systems both in vivo and in vitro, however the cellular basis of the pronounced cytotoxicity of this organochlorine compound is poorly understood. In this work, morphological and biochemical analyses were carried out to identify the primary targets of pentachlorophenol toxicity in mammalian cells. Our results show that pentachlorophenol is a very potent cytotoxic drug that displays an unusual and interesting mode of action in Vero cells. Although this compound is a powerful uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, we present the novel finding that lysosome destabilization is an early cytotoxic response that precedes the mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, soon after exposure to moderate doses of pentachlorophenol, a significant number of cells initiate an apoptotic death process identified by the condensed and fragmented state of their nuclei. These results demonstrate that there are multiple potential targets of PCP-induced toxicity in mammalian cells, and the need to develop further experimental studies for the risk assessment of this environmental pollutant.

Topographic changes in SARS coronavirus-infected cells at late stages of infection.

Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy was used for the first time to view the maturation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus at the cell surface. The surface form of the cells at advanced infection displayed prolific pseudopodia that, in addition to the rest of the plasma membrane, were also active sites of virus release. High magnification of the maturing virus particles showed a rosette appearance with short knoblike spikes under both the scanning electron and atomic force microscopes. The final expulsion step of the maturing virus particles seemed to result in some disruptions to the plasma membrane. The cytoskeletal network along the edge of the infected cells was enhanced and could be involved in transporting and expelling the progeny virus particles. Thickening of the actin filaments at the cell edge provided the bending force to extrude the virus particles.

Interaction of Leishmania (L.) chagasi with the Vero cell line.

The Vero cell line, a non-phagocytic cell, has supported the intracellular mechanism of Leishmania (L.) chagasi. This strain (MHOM/BR/501/MS00) was isolated from a human case of visceral leishmaniasis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil and cultivated in Schneider's Drosophila medium with 20% of heat inactivated fetal calf serum. It was allowed to infect the Vero cells at a ratio of 10 to 20 promastigotes per cell. Within six hours of incubation, promastigote forms were found attached to Vero cells without any particular orientation. The number of amastigotes per cell increased during the incubation period. Results showed that promastigotes of L. (L.) chagasi could interact, transform to amastigote forms and multiply in non-phagocytic cells, demonstrating a new model to study the intracellular cycle of this protozoan.

Drebrin is a novel connexin-43 binding partner that links gap junctions to the submembrane cytoskeleton.

BACKGROUND: Connexins form gap junctions that mediate the transfer of ions, metabolites, and second messengers between contacting cells. Many aspects of connexin function, for example cellular transport, plaque assembly and stability, and channel conductivity, are finely tuned and likely involve proteins that bind to connexins' cytoplasmic domains. However, little is known about such regulatory proteins. To identify novel proteins that interact with the COOH-terminal domain of Connexin-43 (Cx43), the most widely expressed connexin family member, we applied a proteomics approach to screen fractions of mouse tissue homogenates for binding partners. RESULTS: Drebrin was recovered as a binding partner of the Cx43 COOH-terminal domain from mouse brain homogenate. Drebrin had previously been described as an actin binding protein that diminishes in brains during Alzheimer's disease. The novel Drebrin-Cx43 interaction identified by proteomics was confirmed by colocalization of endogenous proteins in astrocytes and Vero cells, coimmunoprecipitation, electron microscopy, electrophysiology, coexpression of both proteins with fluorescent tags, and live-cell FRET analysis. Depletion of Drebrin in cells with siRNA results in impaired cell-cell coupling, internalization of gap junctions, and targeting of Cx43 to a degradative pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Drebrin is required for maintaining Cx43-containing gap junctions in their functional state at the plasma membrane. It is thus possible that Drebrin may interact with gap junctions in zones of cell-cell contacts in a regulated fashion in response to extracellular signals. The rearrangement or disruption of interactions between connexins and the Drebrin-containing submembrane cytoskeleton directs connexins to degradative cellular pathways.

Early events of SARS coronavirus infection in vero cells.

An isolate from a patient in the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Singapore was used to infect Vero E6 cells. This study concentrated on the first 30 min of infection. It was discovered that the SARS coronavirus attached, entered, and uncoated the nucleocapsids, all within a 30-min period. At 5 min after infection, several virus particles lined the Vero cell plasma membrane. Virus particles were at various stages of fusion at the cell surface, since entry was not a synchronised process. After entry (10 and 15 min), spherical core particles moved into the cytoplasm within large vacuoles. Quite surprising at such early stages of infection (20 min), a virus-induced change in the infected cells was evident. The induction of myelin-like membrane whorls was obvious within the same vacuoles as the core particles. The significance of this virus-induced change is unknown at this stage. By 25-30 min postinfection (p.i.), the spherical core particles appeared to be disassociating and, in their place, doughnut-shaped electron-dense structures were observed. These could be the virus genomes together with the helical nucleocapsids. They were no longer in large vacuoles but packaged into smaller vacuoles in the cytoplasm, and occasionally in small groups.