Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2015) | Viewed by 129399

Special Issue Editor

Robert Koch Institute, Germany

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For about 75 years electron microscopy is used to investigate viruses. While the focus of applications has changed over the years, it is still important to visualize virus structures and the cellular context in which they occur. Electron microscopy provides an “open view” about all matter present in a sample which helps to find even the unexpected. Besides a bare description of structures, information collected by electron microscopy allows to generate new hypothesis and ideas about many aspects of the virus life cycle, especially if applied in conjunction with other methods.

The major idea of this special issue of Viruses is to compile high quality papers which show how electron microscopy is used in research and diagnostics of viruses today.

Contributions may cover the following fields of applications:

  • development of techniques and methods
  • structural biology of viruses
  • cell biology of infection, replication, assembly and egress
  • description of new viruses
  • clinical aspects of viral infections
  • diagnostics

Reports of original data and reviews about relevant aspects are highly welcome.

Dr. Michael Laue
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • virus
  • ultrastructure
  • electron microscopy
  • replication
  • identification
  • assembly
  • diagnostics
  • infectious disease

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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6582 KiB  
Article
3D Analysis of HCMV Induced-Nuclear Membrane Structures by FIB/SEM Tomography: Insight into an Unprecedented Membrane Morphology
by Clarissa Villinger, Gregor Neusser, Christine Kranz, Paul Walther and Thomas Mertens
Viruses 2015, 7(11), 5686-5704; https://doi.org/10.3390/v7112900 - 04 Nov 2015
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 9790
Abstract
We show that focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) tomography is an excellent method to analyze the three-dimensional structure of a fibroblast nucleus infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). We found that the previously described infoldings of the inner nuclear membrane, which are unique [...] Read more.
We show that focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) tomography is an excellent method to analyze the three-dimensional structure of a fibroblast nucleus infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). We found that the previously described infoldings of the inner nuclear membrane, which are unique among its kind, form an extremely complex network of membrane structures not predictable by previous two-dimensional studies. In all cases they contained further invaginations (2nd and 3rd order infoldings). Quantification revealed 5498HCMV capsids within two nuclear segments, allowing an estimate of 15,000 to 30,000 capsids in the entire nucleus five days post infection. Only 0.8% proved to be enveloped capsids which were exclusively detected in 1st order infoldings (perinuclear space). Distribution of the capsids between 1st, 2nd and 3rd order infoldings is in complete agreement with the envelopment/de-envelopment model for egress of HCMV capsids from the nucleus and we confirm that capsid budding does occur at the large infoldings. Based on our results we propose the pushing membrane model: HCMV infection induces local disruption of the nuclear lamina and synthesis of new membrane material which is pushed into the nucleoplasm, forming complex membrane infoldings in a highly abundant manner, which then may be also used by nucleocapsids for budding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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6034 KiB  
Article
The Use of Convalescent Sera in Immune-Electron Microscopy to Detect Non-Suspected/New Viral Agents
by Antonio Lavazza, Cristiana Tittarelli and Monica Cerioli
Viruses 2015, 7(5), 2683-2703; https://doi.org/10.3390/v7052683 - 22 May 2015
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8920
Abstract
Negative staining electron microscopy methods can be employed for the diagnosis of viral particles in animal samples. In fact, negative staining electron microscopy methods are used to identify viruses, especially in minor species and wild animals, when no other methods are available and [...] Read more.
Negative staining electron microscopy methods can be employed for the diagnosis of viral particles in animal samples. In fact, negative staining electron microscopy methods are used to identify viruses, especially in minor species and wild animals, when no other methods are available and in cases of rare, emerging or re-emerging infections. In particular, immune-electron-microscopy with convalescent sera is employed to detect etiological agents when there are undiagnosed clinical outbreaks, when alternative diagnostic methods fail due to the lack of immunological reagents and primers, and when there is no indicative clinical suspect. An overview of immune-electron-microscopy with convalescent sera’s use in the diagnosis of new and unsuspected viruses in animals of domestic and wild species is provided through the descriptions of the following four diagnostic veterinary cases: (I) enteric viruses of pigs: Porcine Rotavirus, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Porcine Circovirus and Porcine Torovirus; (II) Rotavirus and astrovirus in young turkeys with enteritis; (III) Parvovirus-like particles in pheasants; and (IV) Lagoviruses: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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832 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Virus Inactivation by Formaldehyde to Enhance Biosafety of Diagnostic Electron Microscopy
by Lars Möller, Livia Schünadel, Andreas Nitsche, Ingeborg Schwebke, Manuela Hanisch and Michael Laue
Viruses 2015, 7(2), 666-679; https://doi.org/10.3390/v7020666 - 10 Feb 2015
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 13909
Abstract
Formaldehyde (FA) fixation of infectious samples is a well-established protocol in diagnostic electron microscopy of viruses. However, published experimental data that demonstrate virus inactivation by these fixation procedures are lacking. Usually, fixation is performed immediately before the sample preparation for microscopy. The fixation [...] Read more.
Formaldehyde (FA) fixation of infectious samples is a well-established protocol in diagnostic electron microscopy of viruses. However, published experimental data that demonstrate virus inactivation by these fixation procedures are lacking. Usually, fixation is performed immediately before the sample preparation for microscopy. The fixation procedure should transform viruses in a non–infectious but nonetheless structurally intact form in order to allow a proper diagnosis based on morphology. FA provides an essential advantage in comparison to other disinfectants, because it preserves the ultrastructure of biological material without interfering significantly with the preparation (i.e., the negative staining) and the detection of viruses. To examine the efficiency of FA inactivation, we used Vaccinia virus, Human adenovirus and Murine norovirus as models and treated them with FA under various conditions. Critical parameters for the inactivation efficiency were the temperature, the duration of the FA treatment, and the resistance of the virus in question. Our results show that FA inactivation at low temperature (4 °C) bears a high risk of incomplete inactivation. Higher temperatures (25 °C) are more efficient, although they still require rather long incubation times to fully inactivate a complex and highly robust virus like Vaccinia. A protocol, which applied 2% buffered FA for 60 min and a temperature–shift from 25 to 37 °C after 30 min was efficient for the complete inactivation of all test viruses, and therefore has the potential to improve both biosafety and speed of diagnostic electron microscopy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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1186 KiB  
Article
CMV-Promoter Driven Codon-Optimized Expression Alters the Assembly Type and Morphology of a Reconstituted HERV-K(HML-2)
by Oliver Hohn, Kirsten Hanke, Veronika Lausch, Anja Zimmermann, Saeed Mostafa and Norbert Bannert
Viruses 2014, 6(11), 4332-4345; https://doi.org/10.3390/v6114332 - 11 Nov 2014
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7861
Abstract
The HERV-K(HML-2) family contains the most recently integrated and best preserved endogenized proviral sequences in the human genome. All known elements have nevertheless been subjected to mutations or deletions that render expressed particles non-infectious. Moreover, these post-insertional mutations hamper the analysis of the [...] Read more.
The HERV-K(HML-2) family contains the most recently integrated and best preserved endogenized proviral sequences in the human genome. All known elements have nevertheless been subjected to mutations or deletions that render expressed particles non-infectious. Moreover, these post-insertional mutations hamper the analysis of the general biological properties of this ancient virus family. The expression of consensus sequences and sequences of elements with reverted post-insertional mutations has therefore been very instrumental in overcoming this limitation. We investigated the particle morphology of a recently reconstituted HERV-K113 element termed oriHERV-K113 using thin-section electron microscopy (EM) and could demonstrate that strong overexpression by substitution of the 5'LTR for a CMV promoter and partial codon optimization altered the virus assembly type and morphology. This included a conversion from the regular C-type to an A-type morphology with a mass of cytoplasmic immature cores tethered to the cell membrane and the membranes of vesicles. Overexpression permitted the release and maturation of virions but reduced the envelope content. A weaker boost of virus expression by Staufen-1 was not sufficient to induce these morphological alterations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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2187 KiB  
Article
A Novel Strain of Porcine Adenovirus Detected in Urinary Bladder Urothelial Cell Culture
by Urška Dragin Jerman, Marko Kolenc, Andrej Steyer, Peter Veranič, Mateja Poljšak Prijatelj and Mateja Erdani Kreft
Viruses 2014, 6(6), 2505-2518; https://doi.org/10.3390/v6062505 - 23 Jun 2014
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 10300
Abstract
Contamination of cell cultures is the most common problem encountered in cell culture laboratories. Besides the secondary cell contaminations often occurring in the cell laboratories, the contaminations originating from donor animal or human tissue are equally as common, but usually harder to recognize [...] Read more.
Contamination of cell cultures is the most common problem encountered in cell culture laboratories. Besides the secondary cell contaminations often occurring in the cell laboratories, the contaminations originating from donor animal or human tissue are equally as common, but usually harder to recognize and as such require special attention. The present study describes the detection of porcine adenovirus (PAdV), strain PAdV-SVN1 in cultures of normal porcine urothelial (NPU) cells isolated from urinary bladders of domestic pigs. NPU cell cultures were evaluated by light microscopy (LM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and additionally assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Characteristic ultrastructure of virions revealed the infection with adenovirus. The adenoviral contamination was further identified by the sequence analysis, which showed the highest similarity to recently described PAdV strain PAdV-WI. Additionally, the cell ultrastructural analysis confirmed the life-cycle characteristic for adenoviruses. To closely mimic the in vivo situation, the majority of research on in vitro models uses cell cultures isolated from human or animal tissue and their subsequent passages. Since the donor tissue could be a potential source of contamination, the microbiological screening of the excised tissue and harvested cell cultures is highly recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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Review

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5082 KiB  
Review
Viral Infection at High Magnification: 3D Electron Microscopy Methods to Analyze the Architecture of Infected Cells
by Inés Romero-Brey and Ralf Bartenschlager
Viruses 2015, 7(12), 6316-6345; https://doi.org/10.3390/v7122940 - 03 Dec 2015
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 16722
Abstract
As obligate intracellular parasites, viruses need to hijack their cellular hosts and reprogram their machineries in order to replicate their genomes and produce new virions. For the direct visualization of the different steps of a viral life cycle (attachment, entry, replication, assembly and [...] Read more.
As obligate intracellular parasites, viruses need to hijack their cellular hosts and reprogram their machineries in order to replicate their genomes and produce new virions. For the direct visualization of the different steps of a viral life cycle (attachment, entry, replication, assembly and egress) electron microscopy (EM) methods are extremely helpful. While conventional EM has given important information about virus-host cell interactions, the development of three-dimensional EM (3D-EM) approaches provides unprecedented insights into how viruses remodel the intracellular architecture of the host cell. During the last years several 3D-EM methods have been developed. Here we will provide a description of the main approaches and examples of innovative applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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2064 KiB  
Review
Morphologic Differentiation of Viruses beyond the Family Level
by Cynthia S. Goldsmith
Viruses 2014, 6(12), 4902-4913; https://doi.org/10.3390/v6124902 - 09 Dec 2014
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 13874
Abstract
Electron microscopy has been instrumental in the identification of viruses by being able to characterize a virus to the family level. There are a few cases where morphologic or morphogenesis factors can be used to differentiate further, to the genus level. These include [...] Read more.
Electron microscopy has been instrumental in the identification of viruses by being able to characterize a virus to the family level. There are a few cases where morphologic or morphogenesis factors can be used to differentiate further, to the genus level. These include viruses in the families Poxviridae, Reoviridae, Retroviridae, Herpesviridae, Filoviridae, and Bunyaviridae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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1315 KiB  
Review
A Filtration Based Technique for Simultaneous SEM and TEM Sample Preparation for the Rapid Detection of Pathogens
by Daniel R. Beniac, Christine G. Siemens, Christine J. Wright and Tim F. Booth
Viruses 2014, 6(9), 3458-3471; https://doi.org/10.3390/v6093458 - 19 Sep 2014
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 28571
Abstract
Diagnostic electron microscopy for infectious diseases has the advantage that “everything” in the specimen can be observed, without a priori knowledge of the likely identity of the microorganisms present in the sample. The classical specimen preparation method used employs a droplet of sample, [...] Read more.
Diagnostic electron microscopy for infectious diseases has the advantage that “everything” in the specimen can be observed, without a priori knowledge of the likely identity of the microorganisms present in the sample. The classical specimen preparation method used employs a droplet of sample, which allows particles to adsorb to a support film, and is subsequently negative stained. This “grid on drop” procedure has a sensitivity range of approximately 106 viruses per mL if no enrichment procedures are used. In the current investigation we present a novel use of filtration that allows us to detect viruses at concentrations as low as 102 viruses per mL. We present here methods based on filtration, in which total virus, and not virus concentration, is the limiting factor for detection. We show that filtration is more sensitive than conventional negative staining and can detect as few as 5 × 103 particles per sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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1306 KiB  
Review
Membranous Replication Factories Induced by Plus-Strand RNA Viruses
by Inés Romero-Brey and Ralf Bartenschlager
Viruses 2014, 6(7), 2826-2857; https://doi.org/10.3390/v6072826 - 22 Jul 2014
Cited by 206 | Viewed by 15964
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the membranous replication factories of members of plus-strand (+) RNA viruses. We discuss primarily the architecture of these complex membrane rearrangements, because this topic emerged in the last few years as electron tomography has [...] Read more.
In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the membranous replication factories of members of plus-strand (+) RNA viruses. We discuss primarily the architecture of these complex membrane rearrangements, because this topic emerged in the last few years as electron tomography has become more widely available. A general denominator is that two “morphotypes” of membrane alterations can be found that are exemplified by flaviviruses and hepaciviruses: membrane invaginations towards the lumen of the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) and double membrane vesicles, representing extrusions also originating from the ER, respectively. We hypothesize that either morphotype might reflect common pathways and principles that are used by these viruses to form their membranous replication compartments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
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