In vitro infection of Human Pneumocytes (Calu-3) by Human Major and Minor Rhinoviruses: Comparative Analysis of Susceptibility, Permissiveness and Cellular Response.

• Grant number: 25/00887-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Eurico de Arruda Neto
• Grantee: Eduardo Chagas Motta de Paiva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Rhinoviruses are the most frequent causes of human respiratory infections, which cause symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, but also cause effects in the sinuses and the middle ear, and can spread to the lower respiratory tract. There are about 165 types of rhinoviruses, and although there is induction of type-specific neutralizing antibodies, there is no significant cross-neutralization among the different type, making it difficult to produce a vaccine. Rhinoviruses A and B can be divided into two groups according to the receptor used to enter the host cell: the rhinoviruses of the major group use the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), while those of the minor group use low- or very low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL and VLDL). Although both groups are genetically similar, the use of different receptors induces different cellular responses that are not completely understood. This project aims to fill gaps in knowledge, using an in vitro model of infection of human pneumocytes of the Calu-3 lineage. (AU)