Virological Synapses
Virological Synapses - Related Videos
11:45
Imaging of HIV-1 Envelope-induced Virological Synapse and Signaling on Synthetic Lipid Bilayers
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Cited by 4 •
2012
This article describes a method to visualize formation of an HIV-1 envelope-induced virological synapse on glass supported planar bilayers by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. The method can also be combined with immunofluorescence staining to detect activation and redistribution of signaling molecules that occur during HIV-1 envelope-induced virological synapse formation.
02:47
The Synapse
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2019
Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information. An electrical synapse is one type of synapse in which the pre-...
18:11
Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
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Cited by 270 •
2010
This protocol details how to quantify synapse number both in dissociated neuronal culture and in brain sections using immunocytochemistry. Using compartment-specific antibodies, we label presynaptic terminals as well as sites of postsynaptic specialization. We define synapses as points of colocalization between the signals generated by these markers.
09:17
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography in Virology: 3D Imaging of High-pressure Frozen, Freeze-substituted Samples
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2025
This video protocol illustrates how to perform scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography of virological specimens. For optimal outcomes, samples are prepared by high-pressure freezing and subsequent freeze substitution.
11:02
Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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Cited by 14 •
2010
Glutamatergic synapses can switch from an active mode to a silent mode. We demonstrate that presynaptic activity status in dissociated culture of rodent neurons is visualized using a fixable form of the FM1-43 dye to visualize active synapses and immunostaining with vGluT-1 antibody to visualize all glutamate synapses.
FAQs
Viral envelope or capsid components accumulate at the junction alongside host adhesion molecules. This coordinated concentration stabilizes the contact between infected and susceptible cells, while cytoskeletal remodeling helps organize the interface. Together, these changes create a localized route through which newly produced virions can reach the recipient cell more efficiently.
A cell-to-cell junction can reduce the amount of time newly produced virions spend exposed to extracellular antibodies and other immune defenses. This protection may increase transmission efficiency compared with release into the surrounding environment, allowing infection to proceed through direct contacts even when extracellular immune pressure is present.
Cytoskeletal remodeling helps reorganize cellular structures at the contact site so viral components and adhesion molecules become concentrated at one interface. This spatial organization supports formation of a functional transmission junction rather than a diffuse distribution across the cell surface. The resulting arrangement can influence how effectively virions pass to a neighboring susceptible cell.
The synapse provides a direct cell-to-cell route, whereas extracellular transmission exposes newly produced virions to the surrounding environment and its immune defenses. Because the junction can shield virions from extracellular antibodies and other defenses, direct transfer may promote more efficient spread through connected cells in a tissue.
Researchers examine how viral envelope or capsid components, host adhesion molecules, and cytoskeletal remodeling become concentrated at cell junctions. They can then relate this organization to direct transfer, infection of the recipient cell, and reduced exposure to immune defenses. These observations help connect cellular structure with the efficiency and consequences of viral dissemination.
The process identifies several points that could limit transmission, including cell contact, viral assembly, and the organization of components at the junction. Antiviral strategies that disrupt these features may reduce direct transfer from infected to susceptible cells. Such approaches are relevant because blocking contact-mediated spread could limit dissemination through tissues.
They provide a framework for studying how pathogens disseminate between neighboring cells while partially avoiding extracellular immune defenses. This connects cellular transmission mechanisms with immune evasion and tissue-level spread. Examining these contacts therefore helps immunologists understand why viral movement through infected tissues may not depend solely on freely circulating extracellular virions.