Low-pH Endocytic Entry of the Porcine Alphaherpesvirus Pseudorabies Virus

Abstract

PRV is a pathogen of great economic and animal welfare importance in many parts of the world. PRV causes neurological, respiratory, and reproductive disorders, often resulting in mortality of young and immunocompromised animals. Mortality, decreased production, and trade restrictions result in significant financial losses for the agricultural industry. Understanding the molecular mechanisms utilized by PRV to enter host cells is an important step in identifying novel strategies to prevent infection and spread. A thorough understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to a broader understanding of alphaherpesvirus entry. Here, we demonstrate PRV entry into multiple model cell lines via a low-pH endocytosis pathway. Together, these results provide a framework for elucidating the early events of the PRV replicative cycle.