A recent study led by researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, together with both national and international partners, has identified how herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection alters the mechanical properties of cell nuclei. The research used advanced microscopy techniques such as cryo-soft X-ray tomography and atomic force microscopy, alongside computational modeling, to examine changes within infected cells.
The findings indicate that when DNA viruses like HSV-1 infect a cell and take control of its nucleus, they cause significant structural modifications. These include the formation of enlarged, low-density viral replication compartments inside the nucleus. As a result, there are notable changes in nuclear volume, chromatin organization, and the structure of the nuclear lamina.
The study shows that these infections remodel nuclear biomechanics and lead to a marked softening of the nucleus. According to Vihinen-Ranta from the University of Jyväskylä, "Modern science is increasingly seeking to identify the forces acting on cells that shape their biomechanics. Usually, these forces come from outside the cell. However, the changes caused by the viral infection take place inside the nucleus of the cell, thus shedding light on the influence of intranuclear forces on the mechanical changes in the nucleus."
This research was published in PLOS Pathogens and was supported by funding from several organizations including the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Academy of Finland, European Union's Horizon 2020 program, and the National Institute of Health (USA).
