Increased mitochondrial superoxide dismutase expression and lowered production of reactive oxygen species during rotavirus infection

Rotaviruses are responsible for severe diarrhea in infants and substantial economic losses in animal husbandry worldwide. We investigated the oxidant/antioxidant status in rotavirus-infected human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell line. Our results show that within the initial 48 h of infection the expression of the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is significantly increased, which correlates with a decrease in reactive oxygen species production, and with a lack of cellular glutathione depletion. During this period the mitochondria display a hyperpolarization of the inner membrane, which leads to an increased mitochondrial membrane potential. No increase in apoptosis was detected in the infected cultures. In contrast to many viral infections which cause redox imbalance in host cells, the described virus–host interaction suggests that rotavirus infection does not lead to an induction of oxidative stress, possibly to prolong cell survival and to allow for accumulation of viral particles before cell destruction and virus release.