Mitochondrial morphodynamics alteration induced by influenza virus infection as a new antiviral strategy

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Feb 17;17(2):e1009340. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009340. eCollection 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Influenza virus infections are major public health threats due to their high rates of morbidity and mortality. Upon influenza virus entry, host cells experience modifications of endomembranes, including those used for virus trafficking and replication. Here we report that influenza virus infection modifies mitochondrial morphodynamics by promoting mitochondria elongation and altering endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria tethering in host cells. Expression of the viral RNA recapitulates these modifications inside cells. Virus induced mitochondria hyper-elongation was promoted by fission associated protein DRP1 relocalization to the cytosol, enhancing a pro-fusion status. We show that altering mitochondrial hyper-fusion with Mito-C, a novel pro-fission compound, not only restores mitochondrial morphodynamics and endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites but also dramatically reduces influenza replication. Finally, we demonstrate that the observed Mito-C antiviral property is directly connected with the innate immunity signaling RIG-I complex at mitochondria. Our data highlight the importance of a functional interchange between mitochondrial morphodynamics and innate immunity machineries in the context of influenza viral infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / pathology*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Influenza A virus / drug effects*
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy*
  • Influenza, Human / pathology
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / pathology
  • Mitochondria / virology
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations

Grants and funding

This work was supported by institutional funding from INSERM, CNRS, University Paris-Descartes and the French National Research Agency through the “Investments for the Future” program (France-BioImaging, ANR-10-INSB-04, C.D.)., The PICT IBiSA is supported by the Cell(n)Scale Labex (ANR-10-LBX-0038, C.D.) part of the IDEX PSL (ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02 PSL, C.D.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.