Mechanisms Employed by Infected Epithelial Cells to Inhibit Viral Replication and Spreading

QUIZ QUESTION: Imagine an epithelial cell that is infected with a virus and has activated the antiviral state. Which of the following statements does NOT describe a likely mechanism used by this cell to reduce the spread of the virus?a. The cell produces a protein that binds specifically to double-stranded RNA; this protein activates signaling that inhibits viral replication.b. The antiviral state leads to increased expression of proteins that cause apoptosisc. The cell increases expression of adhesion molecules to recruit neutrophils to the site of infectiond. The cell induces the activity of an RNAase (an enzyme that degrades RNA)

Answer:

The correct answer is d

Answer:

The correct answer is d. The cell induces the activity of an RNAase (an enzyme that degrades RNA).

Explanation:

When an epithelial cell is infected with a virus and activates the antiviral state, it employs various mechanisms to impede the spread of the virus. Let’s analyze each option to determine which one does not describe a likely mechanism used by the cell:

a. The cell produces a protein that binds specifically to double-stranded RNA, activating signaling that inhibits viral replication: This is a probable mechanism employed by the cell. When a virus infects a cell, it often produces double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as part of its replication process. The presence of dsRNA is recognized by the cell as a sign of viral infection. The cell then produces proteins, such as dsRNA-binding proteins (e.g., protein kinase R), which bind to dsRNA and activate signaling pathways that inhibit viral replication. This helps to reduce the spread of the virus within the infected cell.

b. The antiviral state leads to increased expression of proteins that cause apoptosis: This is also a likely mechanism used by the cell. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, can be triggered by infected cells as a defense mechanism to eliminate the virus and protect neighboring cells from infection. When a cell detects the presence of viral components, it can produce proteins, such as interferons, that induce apoptosis and target infected cells for removal.

c. The cell increases expression of adhesion molecules to recruit neutrophils to the site of infection: This is another probable mechanism employed by the cell. Adhesion molecules are cell surface proteins that help cells stick together and also facilitate interactions with other immune cells. By increasing the expression of adhesion molecules, infected epithelial cells can recruit immune cells, such as neutrophils, to the site of infection. Neutrophils are important components of the innate immune response and can help eliminate the virus and control the infection.

d. The cell induces the activity of an RNAase (an enzyme that degrades RNA): This statement does not describe a likely mechanism used by the cell. Although there are enzymes, such as RNAases, that can degrade RNA, inducing their activity would not be an effective antiviral strategy for infected epithelial cells. RNAases do not typically distinguish between viral RNA and the cell’s own RNA, so indiscriminately degrading RNA within the cell could have detrimental effects on cellular processes and may not specifically target the viral genome.

In conclusion, the statement that does not describe a likely mechanism used by an infected epithelial cell to reduce the spread of the virus is d. The cell induces the activity of an RNAase (an enzyme that degrades RNA).

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