Endocytic Pathways Involved in Filovirus Entry: Advances, Implications and Future Directions

Abstract

Detailed knowledge of the host-virus interactions that accompany filovirus entry into cells is expected to identify determinants of viral virulence and host range, and to yield targets for the development of antiviral therapeutics. While it is generally agreed that filovirus entry into the host cytoplasm requires viral internalization into acidic endosomal compartments and proteolytic cleavage of the envelope glycoprotein by endo/lysosomal cysteine proteases, our understanding of the specific endocytic pathways co-opted by filoviruses remains limited. This review addresses the current knowledge on cellular endocytic pathways implicated in filovirus entry, highlights the consensus as well as controversies, and discusses important remaining questions.

Keywords

• filoviruses
• viral entry
• viral internalization
• endocytosis
• endocytic pathways
• clathrin-mediated endocytosis
• macropinocytosis
• caveolae-mediated endocytosis