Cultures of equine respiratory epithelial cells and organ explants as tools for the study of equine influenza virus infection.

This research article discusses how maintaining the cultures of equine respiratory epithelial cells and organ explants can be useful for studying equine influenza virus infection. The study found that these cultures are successful in supporting the replication of the equine influenza virus, leading to cell death through apoptosis.

Objective of the research

• The main objective of this research was to find an alternate viable source to understand the equine influenza virus’s interaction with the host, which here is a horse, rather than using the intact animal for such studies.

Methodology

• The researchers maintained cultures of equine nasal turbinate epithelial cells and tracheal rafts with sustained viability.
• The productivity of these cultures was then checked with the replication of equine influenza virus (equine-2, subtype H3N8).
• Apart from the replication, the team also observed how these cells died after viral infection, concluding that the death occurred through a process known as apoptosis.

Findings

• Both types of cultures helped in successfully replicating the equine influenza virus. This result suggests that these cultures can effectively substitute the live animal in understanding the behavior of this virus.
• The death of these cells was detected after the viral infection and was identified as apoptosis which is a process of programmed cell death.
• This way, the way the virus interacts with its host became clearer, which is promising for understanding the pathogenesis of equine influenza.

Implications

• Through this research, it has become possible to study the interaction between the equine influenza virus and its host, without the necessity of having the live animal. This allows for advanced studies, including the development of treatments or prevention methods, minimizing animal use, and reducing costs and ethical concerns.