Skip to main content
Advertisement

Main menu

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Newest Articles
    • Current Issue
    • Methods & Resources
    • Author Interviews
    • Archive
    • Subjects
  • Collections
  • Submit
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Author Guidelines
    • License, Copyright, Fee
    • FAQ
    • Publish with LSA
  • About
    • About Us
    • Editors & Staff
    • Board Members
    • Licensing and Reuse
    • Reviewer Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • LSA LLC
  • Alerts
  • Other Publications
    • EMBO Press
    • The EMBO Journal
    • EMBO reports
    • EMBO Molecular Medicine
    • Molecular Systems Biology
    • Rockefeller University Press
    • Journal of Cell Biology
    • Journal of Experimental Medicine
    • Journal of General Physiology
    • Journal of Human Immunity
    • Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
    • Genes & Development
    • Genome Research

User menu

  • My alerts

Search

  • Advanced search
Life Science Alliance
  • Other Publications
    • EMBO Press
    • The EMBO Journal
    • EMBO reports
    • EMBO Molecular Medicine
    • Molecular Systems Biology
    • Rockefeller University Press
    • Journal of Cell Biology
    • Journal of Experimental Medicine
    • Journal of General Physiology
    • Journal of Human Immunity
    • Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
    • Genes & Development
    • Genome Research
  • My alerts
Life Science Alliance

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Newest Articles
    • Current Issue
    • Methods & Resources
    • Author Interviews
    • Archive
    • Subjects
  • Collections
  • Submit
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Author Guidelines
    • License, Copyright, Fee
    • FAQ
    • Publish with LSA
  • About
    • About Us
    • Editors & Staff
    • Board Members
    • Licensing and Reuse
    • Reviewer Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • LSA LLC
  • Alerts
  • Follow LSA on Bluesky
  • Follow lsa Template on Twitter
Research Article
Transparent Process
Open Access

The pro-inflammatory response to influenza A virus infection is fueled by endothelial cells

View ORCID ProfileLisa Bauer  Correspondence email, Laurine C Rijsbergen, Lonneke Leijten, Feline FW Benavides, View ORCID ProfileDanny Noack, Mart M Lamers, View ORCID ProfileBart L Haagmans, Rory D de Vries, View ORCID ProfileRik L de Swart, View ORCID ProfileDebby van Riel  Correspondence email
Lisa Bauer
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Conceptualization, Resources, Data curation, Formal analysis, Validation, Investigation, Visualization, Methodology, Writing—original draft, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Lisa Bauer
  • For correspondence: l.bauer{at}erasmusmc.nl
Laurine C Rijsbergen
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Conceptualization, Resources, Data curation, Formal analysis, Validation, Investigation, Visualization, Writing—original draft, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Lonneke Leijten
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Resources, Data curation, Investigation
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Feline FW Benavides
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Data curation, Formal analysis
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Danny Noack
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Resources, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Danny Noack
Mart M Lamers
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Resources, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Bart L Haagmans
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Resources, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Bart L Haagmans
Rory D de Vries
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Resources, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Rik L de Swart
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Resources, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Rik L de Swart
Debby van Riel
Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Roles: Conceptualization, Resources, Formal analysis, Supervision, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review and editing
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Debby van Riel
  • For correspondence: d.vanriel{at}erasmusmc.nl
Published 18 April 2023. DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201837
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Info
  • Metrics
  • Reviewer Comments
  • PDF
Loading

Article Figures & Data

Figures

  • Tables
  • Supplementary Materials
  • Figure 1.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure 1. Abortive infection of influenza A virus in lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMECs).

    (A, B) To evaluate replication efficiency, LMECs were plated on the (A) apical or (B) basolateral side of a transwell filter. LMECs were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2 virus at MOI 1, and at the indicated timepoints supernatants of the apical and basolateral sides were harvested, and virus titers were determined by endpoint titration. Infection efficiency was determined by immunofluorescence staining. (C, D) LMECs plated on the (C) apical and (D) basolateral sides were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2 virus. Cells were fixed 24 h post-inoculation and stained for the endothelial cell marker vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-CAD, magenta) and influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP, green). Hoechst (blue) was used to visualize nuclei. (E) Percentage of infection determined by flow cytometry at 24 and 72 h post-inoculation. (F) Intracellular viral RNA genome copies were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR at indicated timepoints. Data represent mean ± SD from at least three independent experiments performed in biological duplicates, and flow cytometry was performed in biological triplicates. A one-way ANOVA multiple comparison test was used to compare groups (*< 0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.005). Scale bar: 20 μm.

  • Figure S1.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure S1. Interferon and interferon-stimulated gene expression in lung microvascular endothelial cells.

    To evaluate the immunocompetence of lung microvascular endothelial cells, the cells were exposed to recombinant IFN-β, IFN-λ, or the Toll-like receptor 3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) either in the supernatant or transfected. Alternatively, lung microvascular endothelial cells were inoculated with either pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2. The gene expression of IFN-β, IFN-λ and interferon-stimulated gene IFIT1 was analyzed via qRT-PCR. Data represent mean ± SD from at least two independent experiments performed in biological triplicates. A t test was used to compare each group to mock and a one-way ANOVA was performed to compare pH1N1, H1N1, and H3N2 viruses (*<0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.005, ****<0.001).

  • Figure 2.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure 2. Influenza A virus infection and cytokine profiling of the apical compartment of epithelial cell mono-cultures or in co-culture with endothelial cells.

    (A, B) Well-differentiated airway organoids at air–liquid interface (AO at ALI) in mono-culture or (B) in co-culture with lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMECs) were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2 virus at MOI 1. At the indicated timepoints, virus titers were determined in the supernatants of the apical and basolateral compartments. (C) Detection of influenza A virus (IAV) nucleoprotein (NP) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the AO at ALI-LMEC co-cultures 24 h post-inoculation. (D) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the co-cultures 72 h post-inoculation (scale bar 20 μm). (E) At 72 h post-inoculation, well-differentiated AO at ALI were stained for IAV NP (green), the cilia marker acetylated-α-tubulin (α-Tub, cyan) and the tight junction marker zona occludin-1 (ZO-1, magenta) on the apical compartment of the transwell. The basolateral compartment containing the LMECs was stained for IAV NP (green) and the endothelial cell marker vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-CAD, magenta). In both cases, the nuclei were visualized with Hoechst (blue, scale bar: 20 μm). (F) Epithelial cells (AO at ALI) or endothelial–epithelial co-cultures were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2 virus at MOI 1. At 24 h post-inoculation, cytokines were measured in the apical compartment, and protein concentrations were determined using the LEGENDplex assay. Data represented here show individual data points of cytokines derived from three independent experiments performed in biological duplicates, and the mean ± SD is depicted. Mock protein concentration of each condition was subtracted from the protein concentrations measured in the virus inoculated cultures. Statistical significance was determined with t test (*<0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.005, ****<0.001).

  • Figure S2.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure S2. Influenza A virus replication in well-differentiated airways organoids at air–liquid interface.

    (A, B) Airway organoids were differentiated on the apical side of a transwell at air–liquid interface and tissue architecture, including presence of ciliated cells, and goblet cells was confirmed with (A) H&E and a (B) PAS staining. (C) Determination of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of influenza A virus (pH1N1, H1N1, and H3N2)–infected epithelial cultures at MOI 1 over time. Data are expressed relative to the TER value recorded before infection which was defined as 100%. Data represented here show pooled data of virus titers and TER values derived from three independent experiments performed in biological duplicates, and the mean ± SD is depicted. Scale bar: 20 μm.

  • Figure S3.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure S3. Influenza A virus replication in the apical compartment of epithelial–endothelial co-cultures.

    A Well-differentiated airway organoids in co-cultures with or without lung microvascular endothelial cells were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, and H3N2 at MOI 1. At indicated timepoints virus titers were determined in the apical supernatants. Two-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparison test comparing mono-cultures to co-cultures was performed. *P ≤0.05.

  • Figure 3.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure 3. Quantification of influenza A virus infection in endothelial mono-cultures or in epithelial–endothelial co-cultures.

    (A) Percentage of infection and (B) intracellular viral genome copies in LMEC mono-cultures compared with co-cultures were determined by flow cytometry or quantitative real-time PCR at 24 h post-inoculation. Data represented here show pooled data of either infection percentage or virus titers derived from three independent experiments performed in biological duplicates, and the mean ± SD is depicted. A t test was used to compare groups (*<0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.005, ****<0.001).

  • Figure S4.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure S4. No influenza A virus infected endothelial cells in epithelial–endothelial co-cultures when inoculated directly.

    (A, B) Well-differentiated airway organoids in co-cultures with lung microvascular endothelial cells were inoculated with mock or (B) pH1N1, H1N1, and H3N2 at MOI 1. At 24 h post-inoculation, the endothelial cells were directly inoculated with homologous viruses. The cells were fixed after 24 h post second inoculation and stained for the endothelial cell marker vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-CAD magenta) and influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP, green). Hoechst (blue) was used to visualize nuclei. Scale bar: 20 µM.

  • Figure S5.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure S5. Interferon and interferon-stimulated gene expression in airway organoids at air–liquid interface and lung microvascular endothelial cells inoculated with pH1N1.

    To evaluate the innate antiviral state of lung microvascular endothelial cells and epithelial cells (airway organoids at air–liquid interface), the cells were inoculated with pH1N1. The gene expression of interferon-stimulated gene IFIT1, IFN-β, and IFN-λ was analyzed via qRT-PCR. Data represent mean ± SD from at least two independent experiments performed in biological duplicates. A t test was used to compare each group to mock (*<0.05).

  • Figure 4.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure 4. Detection of cytokines produced by endothelial cells in the basolateral compartments of mono- or co-cultures.

    Lung microvascular endothelial cells, epithelial cells (airway organoids at air–liquid interface) or endothelial–epithelial co-cultures were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2 virus at MOI 1. At 24 h post-inoculation, cytokine protein concentrations were measured in the basolateral compartment using a LEGENDplex assay. Data represented here show individual data points of cytokines derived from three independent experiments performed in biological duplicates, and the mean ± SD is depicted. Mock protein concentration of each condition was subtracted from the protein concentrations measured in the virus-inoculated cultures. Statistical significance was determined with one-way ANOVA and each group was compared with each other (*<0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.005, ****<0.001).

  • Figure 5.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure 5. Endothelial cells in pH1N1-inoculated ferret and human lungs express IL-6 mRNA.

    (A) IL-6 production by endothelial cells was assessed in lung sections of a ferret inoculated with pH1N1 virus (1-d post-inoculation) and (B) lung sections of human lung biopsies inoculated with pH1N1 virus (1-d post-inoculation) by in situ hybridization for IL-6, followed by immunohistochemistry using an antibody for endothelial cells (von Willebrand factor, VWF). Arrows indicate cells that are positive for IL-6 and VWF.

  • Figure S6.
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure S6. Expression of IL-6 in von Willebrand factor positive endothelial cells in pH1N1-inoculated ferret.

    IL-6 production by von Willebrand factor positive endothelial cells was assessed in lung sections of two independent ferrets inoculated with pH1N1 virus (1-d post-inoculation) by in situ hybridization for IL-6, followed by immunohistochemistry using an antibody for endothelial cells.

Tables

  • Figures
  • Supplementary Materials
    • View popup
    Table 1.

    Subtype and clade of 2019 viruses.

    VirusSubtypeCladeDutch identification number
    H3N2 2019AH3N23C.3a19A01618
    H1N1 2019AH1N1pdm096B.1A5A19A01659
    H1N1 2009AH1N1pmd096B.1GISAID Isolate ID: EPI_ISL_31217
    • View popup
    Table 2.

    Antibodies used for immunofluorescence microscopy.

    AntibodiesCat #Final concentrationDilutionManufacturer
    NPEBS-I-0472.0 μg/ml1:1,000EVL Laboratories
    VE-CADAF9382.0 μg/ml1:100R&D Systems
    Acetylated-α-tubulinSC-239502.0 μg/ml1:100Santa Cruz Biotechnology
    ZO-13391005.0 μg/ml1:100Life Technologies/Invitrogen
    Hoechst622492 μM1:10,000Life Technologies/Invitrogen

Supplementary Materials

  • Figures
  • Tables
  • Table S1. Cytokine profiling in endothelial, epithelial, and endothelial–epithelial co-cultures infected with pH1N1, H1N1, or H3N2. Endothelial cells (lung microvascular endothelial cells), epithelial cells (airway organoids at air–liquid interface) and endothelial–epithelial co-cultures were inoculated with pH1N1, H1N1, and H3N2 at MOI 1. At 24 and 72 h post-infection, cytokines were measured in the apical and basolateral compartment using the human antiviral LEGENDplex assay (Biolegend). Raw data for all cytokines are represented here and are derived from three independent experiments performed in biological duplicates.

PreviousNext
Back to top
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Life Science Alliance.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
The pro-inflammatory response to influenza A virus infection is fueled by endothelial cells
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Life Science Alliance
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Life Science Alliance web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Citation Tools
Endothelial cells and IAV infection
Lisa Bauer, Laurine C Rijsbergen, Lonneke Leijten, Feline FW Benavides, Danny Noack, Mart M Lamers, Bart L Haagmans, Rory D de Vries, Rik L de Swart, Debby van Riel
Life Science Alliance Apr 2023, 6 (7) e202201837; DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201837

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Endothelial cells and IAV infection
Lisa Bauer, Laurine C Rijsbergen, Lonneke Leijten, Feline FW Benavides, Danny Noack, Mart M Lamers, Bart L Haagmans, Rory D de Vries, Rik L de Swart, Debby van Riel
Life Science Alliance Apr 2023, 6 (7) e202201837; DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201837
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo Bluesky logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Bluesky logo Bluesky
Issue Cover

In this Issue

Volume 6, No. 7
July 2023
  • Table of Contents
  • Cover (PDF)
  • About the Cover
  • Masthead (PDF)
Advertisement

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Introduction
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Materials and Methods
    • Acknowledgements
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Info
  • Metrics
  • Reviewer Comments
  • PDF

Subjects

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology, Virology & Host Pathogen Interaction

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.

Cited By...

  • Single-Cell Network Analysis Identifies CLEC4E as a Key Mediator of Proinflammatory mDC Responses in Influenza Infection
  • The expanding avian influenza panzootic: skua die-off in Antarctica
  • A 2022 avian H5N1 influenza A virus from clade 2.3.4.4b attaches to and replicates better in human respiratory epithelium than a 2005 H5N1 virus from clade 2.3.2.1
  • Isogenic iPSC-derived proximal and distal lung-on-chip models: Tissue- and virus-specific immune responses in human lungs
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Temperature-dependent function of Chm
  • NSUN1 and m5C-RNA is linked to TDP-43 neurotoxicity
  • Human Th1 cells and STAT1 O-glycosylation
Show more Research Article

Similar Articles

EMBO Press LogoRockefeller University Press LogoCold Spring Harbor Logo

Content

  • Home
  • Newest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Archive
  • Subject Collections

For Authors

  • Submit a Manuscript
  • Author Guidelines
  • License, copyright, Fee

Other Services

  • Alerts
  • Bluesky
  • X/Twitter
  • RSS Feeds

More Information

  • Editors & Staff
  • Reviewer Guidelines
  • Feedback
  • Licensing and Reuse
  • Privacy Policy

ISSN: 2575-1077
© 2025 Life Science Alliance LLC

Life Science Alliance is registered as a trademark in the U.S. Patent and Trade Mark Office and in the European Union Intellectual Property Office.