Clathrin- and Caveolin-Independent Entry of Human Papillomavirus Type 16—Involvement of Tetraspanin-Enriched Microdomains (TEMs)
2008

How HPV16 Enters Cells Without Clathrin or Caveolin

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Spoden Gilles, Freitag Kirsten, Husmann Matthias, Boller Klaus, Sapp Martin, Lambert Carsten, Florin Luise

Primary Institution: Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany

Hypothesis

Does HPV16 enter host cells through clathrin- and caveolin-independent mechanisms involving tetraspanin-enriched microdomains?

Conclusion

HPV16 enters epithelial cells via tetraspanin-enriched microdomains, independent of clathrin and caveolin pathways.

Supporting Evidence

  • HPV16 entry was shown to be independent of clathrin and caveolin pathways.
  • Tetraspanin-specific antibodies inhibited HPV16 cell entry and infection.
  • Virions associated with tetraspanin-enriched microdomains during infection.

Takeaway

HPV16 can sneak into cells without using the usual pathways that other viruses use, by hitching a ride on special areas of the cell membrane called tetraspanin-enriched microdomains.

Methodology

The study used immunofluorescence and infection assays to analyze HPV16 entry mechanisms in HeLa cells.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003313

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