Virus-Cell Interactions

Viruses have acquired over time the ability to exploit essential cellular functions to enter and replicate in susceptible cells. Viral entry is a fundamental stage of the infective cycle as it is a major determinant of cell tropism, host range, and pathogenesis. Viruses enter cells by various mechanisms and transport routes, and the first step of viral entry is the binding of viral particles to exposed molecules on the cell membrane, such as proteins, lipids, and/or glycans.

These molecules can be classified into binding factors, responsible for concentrating viral particles on the cell surface, and cell receptors, molecules that actively promote and mediate viral entry.