Formation of Antiviral Cytoplasmic Granules during Orthopoxvirus Infection

More than 80% of cells infected with the ΔE3L mutant Vaccinia virus assemble antiviral granules, while only 10% of wild-type virus-infected cells do.

• Antiviral granules (AVGs) form in response to ΔE3L mutant Vaccinia virus infection and contain stress granule-associated proteins and poly(A)-containing RNA.
• These granules lack large ribosomal subunit proteins, indicating they are not involved in translation.
• The formation of AVGs is associated with restricted replication of the ΔE3L mutant Vaccinia virus, as cells lacking key components showed increased virus replication.
• PKR and phosphorylated eIF2α are required for AVG formation, as cells without these proteins exhibit reduced or absent granule formation.
• Interestingly, cells lacking the AVG component TIA-1 still support increased replication of the ΔE3L mutant virus despite exhibiting other antiviral responses.

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