Essential Role of Clathrin and Lipid Rafts in pH-dependent Entry of Chandipura Virus: Independence From Caveolin Pathway.

Abstract

Chandipura virus (CHPV), a Rhabdoviridae family member, is an emerging neurotropic pathogen responsible for acute encephalitis outbreaks in children, mainly in India. Despite its public health relevance, the mechanisms underlying CHPV entry into host cells remain poorly understood. In this study, we used pharmacological inhibitors in Vero cells to dissect the virus's entry pathways. Our results show that CHPV entry is clathrin-dependent and requires intact lipid rafts but is independent of caveolin-mediated endocytosis. The process is pH-dependent, underscoring the role of endosomal acidification in viral uncoating. These findings on CHPV entry mechanisms offer valuable insights for developing host-targeted antivirals.