Entry of influenza virus into a glycosphingolipid-deficient mouse skin fibroblast cell line

A glycosphingolipid (GSL)-deficient mouse skin fibroblast mutant cell line (GM95) was tested for its susceptibility to influenza virus infection and/o r fusion. Octadecyl rhodamine labeled influenza virus fused at 37 degreesC and low pH with GM95 cells at similar rates and extents as with the parenta l cell lines which did bear glycosphingolipids. Influenza virus infected th e GM95 cells at the same level as the parental cell lines. The infection an d fusion was blocked when the cell lines were pre-treated with neuramindase . We conclude that influenza virus uses mainly sialoglycoproteins and that gangliosides are not essential for influenza virus fusion and infection.