How does CDV infect cells?

 

CDV uses receptors to infect cells. (modified from Rota et al., https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2016.49 )

In order to infect a cell, viruses recognize specific molecules in the surface of the cells, called "receptors". Those receptors are normally expressed by the cell and have their own function, but viruses have evolved to recognize them as a point of entry to the cell. Viral surface proteins interact specifically with the receptors when infecting a cell as if it was a keyhole guarding access to the cell.

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) uses its surface hemagglutinin to attach to cell receptors. So far two receptors for CDV have been described, SLAM and Nectin-4, although other might be involved in the virus infecting cycle. After it has attached to the cell using hemagglutinin, a second surface protein, called fusion protein, will merge the viral envelope and the cell membrane, granting access to the inside of the cell to the viral capside.

It is very important to understand and recognize viral receptors when studying viral disease, as they can indicate what cells can be susceptible to infection and what kind of disease the infection can cause. Our research project is attempting to better explain how different strains of CDV use these receptors to attack the cells of different species. We also hope to explain some of the variations in the ability of some strains to affect particular organ systems, thus impacting the outcome of the disease.