Replication of dengue virus type 2 in human monocyte-derived macrophages: comparisons of isolates and recombinant viruses with substitutions at amino acid 390 in the envelope glycoprotein

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 65; no. 5; p. 427
• Main Authors: Pryor, M J, Carr, J M, Hocking, H, Davidson, A D, Li, P, Wright, P J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-2001
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Line; Cricetinae; Dengue Virus - genetics; Dengue Virus - growth & development; Macrophages - virology; Recombinant Proteins - chemistry; Structure-Activity Relationship; Viral Envelope Proteins - chemistry; Viral Envelope Proteins - physiology; Virus Replication
• ISSN: 0002-9637
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.427

The severity of dengue virus infection ranges from mild fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome. The association of disease severity with virus replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) was examined for dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2) isolates from Asia or America. Additionally, we constructed DEN-2 recombinant viruses with substitutions at residue 390 in the envelope glycoprotein (E390) because this residue is linked with the region of virus origin. Comparisons of virus yields of 3 isolates failed to show a correlation with clinical disease. However, the American strain did not replicate as well as the 2 Asian strains. For the recombinant viruses, substitution of Asn (Asian) at E390 with Asp (American) resulted in decreased ability to replicate in MDMs. These results are consistent with the proposal that the lack of association of native American DEN-2 strains with severe disease is linked to reduced ability to replicate in MDMs, and that Asp at E390 may contribute to this reduction.