Loss of the endothelin signal pathway in C6 rat glioma cells persistently infected with measles virus

Molecular mechanisms of measles virus persistence

As measles virus causes subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and measles inclusion body encephalitis due to its ability to establish human persistent infection, without symptoms for the time between the acute infection and the onset of clinical symptoms, it has been the paradigm for a long term persistent as opposed to chronic infection by an RNA virus. We have reviewed the mechanisms of persistence of the virus and discuss specific mutations associated with CNS infection affecting the matrix and fusion protein genes. These are placed in the context of our current understanding of the viral replication cycle. We also consider the proposed mechanisms of persistence of the virus in replicating cell cultures and conclude that no general mechanistic model can be derived from our current state of knowledge. Finally, we indicate how reverse genetics approaches and the use of mouse models with specific knock-out and knock-in modifications can further our understanding of measles virus persistence.

Physiology of transformed glial cells

Much of our present knowledge of glial cell function stems from studies of glioma cell lines, both rodent (C6, C6 polyploid, and TR33B) and human (1321N1, 138MG, D384, R-111, T67, Tp-276MG, Tp-301MG, Tp-483MG, Tp-387MG, U-118MG, U-251MG, U-373MG, U-787MG, U-1242MG, and UC-11MG). New methods such as patch clamp and Ca2+ imaging have lead to rapid progress the last few years in our knowledge about glial cells, where an unexpected presence and diversity of receptors and ion channels have emerged. Basic mechanisms related to membrane potential and K+ transport and the presence of voltage gated ion channels (Na+, inwardly rectifying K+, Ca(2+)-activated K+, Ca2+, and Cl- channels) have been identified. Receptor function and intracellular signaling for glutamate, acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, cathecolamines, and a large number of neuropeptides (bradykinin, cholecystokinin, endothelin, opioids, and tachykinins) have been characterized. Such studies are facilitated in cell lines which offer a more homogenous material than primary cultures. Although the expression of ion channels and receptors vary considerably between different cell lines and comparative studies are rare, a few differences (compared to astrocytes in primary culture) have been identified which may turn out to be characteristic for glioma cells. Future identification of specific markers for receptors on glial and glioma cells related to cell type and growth properties may have great potential in clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Downregulation of endothelin receptor mRNA synthesis in C6 rat astrocytoma cells by persistent measles virus and canine distemper virus infections

Persistent infections of C6 rat astrocytoma cells with measles (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis [SSPE]) virus (C6/SSPE cells) or canine distemper virus (C6/CDV cells) cause a loss of endothelin-1 (ET-1) binding to its specific receptors (ETRA type) and subsequent ET-1-induced Ca2+ signaling. It was the aim of this study to investigate the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon in more detail. By using an RNase protection assay, it was found that ETRA mRNA disappears, whereas other cellular mRNA species, e.g., beta-actin mRNA, were not influenced. The data show that the loss of the ET-1 signaling pathway in C6/SSPE and C6/CDV cells is due to a receptor downregulation at the transcriptional level.