ABSTRACT
Mitochondria are key cellular organelles responsible for many essential functions, including ATP production, ion homeostasis and apoptosis induction. Recent studies indicate their significant role during viral infection. In the present study, we examined the effects of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection on the morphology and mitochondrial function in primary murine neurons in vitro. We used three EHV-1 strains: two non-neuropathogenic (Jan-E and Rac-H) and one neuropathogenic (EHV-1 26). The organization of the mitochondrial network during EHV-1 infection was assessed by immunofluorescence. To access mitochondrial function, we analyzed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitophagy, mitochondrial inner-membrane potential, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial genes' expression. Changes in mitochondria morphology during infection suggested importance of their perinuclear localization for EHV-1 replication. Despite these changes, mitochondrial functions were preserved. For all tested EHV-1 strains, the similarities in the increased fold expression were detected only for COX18, Sod2, and Tspo. For non-neuropathogenic strains (Jan-E and Rac-H), we detected mainly changes in the expression of genes related to mitochondrial morphology and transport. The results indicate that mitochondria play an important role during EHV-1 replication in cultured neurons and undergo specific morphological and functional modifications.
ABSTRACT
The current pandemic caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been described as a global health emergency. The outbreak of this virus has raised a number of questions: what exactly is SARS-CoV-2? How transmissible the novel coronavirus is? How severely affected are patients infected with SARS-CoV-2? What are the risk factors for COVID-19? What are the differences between this novel coronavirus and other coronaviruses? To answer these questions, a comparative study of three pathogenic coronaviruses that primarily invade the human respiratory system and may cause death, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This review describes the source of origin, transmission, and pathogenicity of these viruses. Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 spreading entails home isolation of suspected cases and those with mild illnesses and strict infection control measures at hospitals that include contact and droplet precautions. The novel coronavirus spreads faster than its two predecessors - the SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV - but has lower fatality rate. The global impact of this new pandemic is still uncertain, but it is a challenge to healthcare systems around the world.