bcl-2 alters influenza virus yield, spread, and hemagglutinin glycosylation.

We previously demonstrated that expression of bcl-2 in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells blocks influenza virus-induced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. We show here that expression of bcl-2 also reduces the level of infectious virus production and the spread of virus in MDCK cell cultures infected at a low multiplicity of infection. This effect is associated with modified glycosylation of the hemagglutinin protein.