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Hidden Passengers: Viruses Travel Inside Other Viruses
Paris (AFP) – Researchers have observed a previously unknown mechanism where tiny viruses infiltrate other viruses to infect cells. This discovery, published Friday in the prestigious journal Cell, could reshape our understanding of viral transmission and infection.
The study, led by researchers at the CNRS, focuses on “deltavirus,” a group of minuscule viruses incapable of infecting a cell independently. These viruses require the assistance of other, more complex viruses to gain entry. Deltaviruses are considered “virus satellites.”
“Deltavirus are transmitted via a viral Trojan horse,” researchers stated in the Cell study. While the hepatitis D virus is well-known for infecting humans alongside the hepatitis B virus, scientists have recently discovered several deltavirus-like viruses in animals that can infect tissues beyond the liver.
The research delves into how these viruses utilize other viruses to circulate and penetrate cells. The findings reveal that deltaviruses essentially hide inside other viruses, as illustrated by striking images from advanced microscopy techniques. This process allows them to bypass cellular defenses and initiate infection.
This discovery has implications for understanding how viruses evolve and spread, and could potentially inform the development of recent antiviral strategies. Further research is needed to fully understand the prevalence and impact of this “Trojan horse” mechanism in various viral infections.
