The effect of concanavalin A on the replication of rotavirus (SA-11) in cell culture

Rotavirus (RV) strain SA-11 was studied with respect to its infectivity in MA-104 cell cultures and the effect of concanavalin A (ConA). Receptors for ConA at the surface of MA-104 cell were determined by fluorescence assay and specifically inhibited by D-mannose. The kinetics of virus growth was carried out by plaque assay. Electron microscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used for monitoring the experiments. It was concluded that RV replication was not affected consistently by ConA, however it interfered with the development of cytopathic effect (CPE) without altering virus yields. A infecciosidade do rotavírus cepa SA-11 foi estudada em cultura de células MA-104 em presença de concanavalina A (ConA). Foi demonstrada a presença de receptores para a ConA nestas células através de ensaio de fluorescência e bloqueio específico dos mesmos através de D-manose. A cinética de replicação viral foi realizada pelo método de plaque e o vírus monitorado, pontualmente, pela microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida. Concluímos que a ConA não afetou consistentemente a replicação viral, entretanto interferiu no efeito citopático.