JEV NS1' protein enhances cell-to-cell viral spread by inducing the formation of tunneling nanotubes.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne virus, can infect various host cells. However, the efficiency with which JEV spreads from cell to cell remains unclear. This study demonstrates that JEV infection can induce the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), which is mediated by the viral NS1' protein. Further investigations revealed that NS1' protein induces TNTs formation by interacting with PAK1. The establishment of TNTs facilitates the transport of JEV virions and the NS1' protein, thereby evading neutralization by antibodies. In conclusion, our study elucidates the mechanism through which JEV induces the formation of TNTs in host cells and highlights a novel pathway for JEV intercellular spread.