Single-particle Measurements Reveal Damage to Filamentous Influenza Virions During Laboratory Handling [Poster]

Hirst, J. C., Burke, A. and Hutchinson, E. C. (2019) Single-particle Measurements Reveal Damage to Filamentous Influenza Virions During Laboratory Handling [Poster]. Microbiology Society Annual Conference, Belfast, UK, 8-11 Apr 2019. (doi: 10.1099/acmi.ac2019.po0292)

[img]
Preview
Text (poster)
185536.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

5MB

Abstract

Most laboratory strains of influenza virus produce near-spherical virions, but clinical isolates also produce extended filaments whose biophysical properties are understudied. Most functional studies of filamentous influenza viruses do not include data on the concentration or lengths of the virions, making it hard to interpret their sometimes contradictory results. Furthermore, anecdotal reports suggest that filaments are damaged during routine laboratory handling. Therefore, to understand filament function we require a tool to assess the number and dimensions of filaments in a sample and an assessment of how filaments respond to standard handling procedures. We initially sought to analyse filament populations using negative stain particle counting, but found that this was low-throughput and could not detect particles longer than 10 µm. Instead, we used confocal microscopy with semi-automated image analysis. This allowed a high-throughput, quantitative analysis of length distributions in filament populations. Using this, we assessed the effects of pipetting, vortexing, sonicating, clarification and freezing on filaments. Most procedures did not appreciably alter filament dimensions. Pipetting and vortexing both slightly reduced filament numbers, but their effects were only appreciable after extended treatment. In contrast, freezing substantially reduced the number and median length of filaments, as well as creating ‘kinks’ in filaments which suggest damage to the capsid. We conclude that confocal microscopy can provide the basic measurements needed to interpret functional studies of filamentous strains. Using this approach, we found that freezing filaments causes previously unappreciated damage, which should be considered when planning further research.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hirst, Jack and Hutchinson, Dr Edward
Authors: Hirst, J. C., Burke, A., and Hutchinson, E. C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
ISSN:2516-8290
Published Online:08 April 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Access Microbiology 1(1A)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record