A plasmid-based reporter system for live cell imaging of dengue virus infected cells

J Virol Methods. 2015 Jan:211:55-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.10.010. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Abstract

Cell culture models are used widely to study the effects of dengue virus (DENV) on host cell function. Current methods of identification of cells infected with an unmodified DENV requires fixation and permeablization of cells to allow DENV-specific antibody staining. This method does not permit imaging of viable cells over time. In this report, a plasmid-based reporter was developed to allow non-destructive identification of DENV-infected cells. The plasmid-based reporter was demonstrated to be broadly applicable to the four DENV serotypes, including low-passaged strains, and was specifically cleaved by the viral protease with minimal interference on viral production. This study reveals the potential for this novel reporter system to advance the studies of virus-host interactions during DENV infection.

Keywords: Dengue virus; Fluorescence microscopy; Protease; Viral reporter.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytological Techniques / methods*
  • Dengue Virus / growth & development*
  • Genes, Reporter*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Plasmids
  • Virology / methods