Altered membrane fatty acids of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium persistently infected with rubella virus may affect secondary cellular function.

Persistent infection with rubella virus (RV) can alter secondary functions of host cells. Previously we had documented defective phagocytosis of latex beads by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE), persistently infected with M-33 RV (RPE/RV). Here, examining possible mechanisms for altered function, we reported significant differences between the total esterified fatty acids (FA) of RPE and RPE/RV membranes, measured by gas liquid chromatography. RPE/RV contained an increased proportion of saturated FA, particularly palmitic acid, with a presence of unusual chromatographic FA peaks co-eluting with odd-numbered long-chain carbon atom FA not normally found in human cells. Apical membrane microvilli, structures essential to phagocytic activity of RPE and RPE/RV, observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, were similar in number and appearance between uninfected RPE and RPE/RV cells before and after latex bead addition. However, RPE/RV microvilli, possibly reflecting altered membrane FA composition, engaged latex beads less effectively than uninfected RPE microvilli. In addition, microvilli remained abnormally distributed on RPE/RV cell surfaces at 48 h after latex addition. Thus, RV persistent infection may affect the cellular membrane fluidity and functional activity of human cells with increased saturated FA proportions and altered FA components of membrane phospholipids. These changes may participate in the defective phagocytosis of RPE/RV.