MA104 cell line is permissive for human bocavirus 1 infection.

Summary

Screening across 36 human/animal cell lines identified MA104 as the first permissive cell line that supports full HBoV1 entry, replication, and production of infectious progeny. Interferon pathway suppression enhanced replication, and transcriptomics implicated innate immune and membrane-related pathways.

Key Findings

• Among 29 human and 7 animal cell lines, MA104 uniquely supported the complete HBoV1 life cycle (entry, replication, infectious progeny).
• Suppressing the interferon pathway facilitated HBoV1 genome replication in MA104 cells.
• RNA-seq revealed activation of innate immunity, inflammatory responses, PI3K-Akt/MAPK signaling, and membrane system remodeling upon infection.

Clinical Implications

While not immediately changing bedside care, a permissive cell line will accelerate development and testing of diagnostics, antivirals, and vaccines for HBoV1-related respiratory disease.

Limitations

• Findings are in vitro; no in vivo validation of pathogenesis.
• MA104 is a non-human (monkey kidney-derived) line, which may limit direct translation to human airway epithelium.

Future Directions

Leverage MA104 for high-throughput antiviral screening and vaccine studies; define receptors and entry cofactors; develop human airway organoid models to corroborate findings.