Role of heat-shock proteins in infection of human adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 by tumor-adapted rotavirus isolates.

BACKGROUND

Viruses are being used as alternative and complementary tools for treating cancers. Oncolytic viruses exhibit tumor tropism, ability to enhance anti-tumor immunity and ability to be used in combination with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We have recently selected some rotavirus isolates which are adapted to efficiently infect and kill tumor cell lines.

AIM

We tested five tumor cell-adapted rotavirus isolates for their ability to infect the human adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7.

METHODS

Cell surface membrane-associated proteins mediating virus particle attachment were characterized using ELISA, immunoprecipitation, FACS analysis, and antibody blocking.

RESULTS

It was found that heat shock proteins (HSPs) such as Hsp90, Hsp70, Hsp60, and Hsp40 are expressed on the cell surface forming complexes with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), integrin β3, and heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) in lipid raft microdomains. Interaction of rotavirus isolates with these cellular proteins was further confirmed by a competition assay and an inhibition assay involving the HSPs tested.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the tumor cell-adapted rotavirus isolates studied here offer a promising tool for killing tumor cells, thus encouraging further research into this topic, including animal models.