TITLE:
Infection with PRRSv Induces the Formation of Filopodia and Rearrangement of Actin Filaments in MARC-145 Cells
AUTHORS:
Victoria E. Collia-Acosta, Carlos G. García-Tovar, Víctor Quintero-Ramírez, Susana E. Mendoza-Elvira, Samantha Jardon-Xicotencatl
KEYWORDS:
Cytoskeleton, Filopodia, PRRSv, Viral Infection
JOURNAL NAME:
CellBio,
Vol.14 No.1,
February
6,
2025
ABSTRACT: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is considered one of the diseases causing the greatest economic losses in swine production. In Mexico, various commercial vaccines are used to mitigate the severity of the infection. However, the effect of these biologicals on the morphology of cell lines permissive to infection by the virus (PRRSv) has not been evaluated. This study assessed the effect of three commercial vaccines available in Mexico by evaluating actin cytoskeleton rearrangements in MARC-145 cells. The infection altered the morphology of the cells, inducing the formation of filopodia and the loss of stress fibers. Quantitative analysis of the filopodia revealed an increase in their number and length, showing significant differences in both characteristics depending on the vaccine strain of the virus. These findings suggest that PRRSv manipulates the host’s actin cytoskeleton through the formation of filopodia, which may play a critical role in viral propagation. These results open a promising avenue for research aimed at developing potential therapeutic strategies targeting cytoskeletal structures to reduce PRRSv infection and its impact on swine health.